Japanese word

掃く

Pronunciation

Romajihaku

Meaning

  • verbsweep

Example

母は庭の落ち葉を掃きます。haha wa niwa no o chi ba o ha ki ma su

My mother sweeps the fallen leaves in the garden.

Illustration for 掃く (sweep)

More examples

毎朝、床を掃きます。mai asa yuka o ha ki ma su

I sweep the floor every morning.

毎朝、店の前を掃きます。mai asa mise no mae o ha ki ma su

I sweep in front of the shop every morning.

Core concept

It describes using a broom or brush to move loose material together and off a floor or other surface.

Common phrases

  • 落ち葉を掃くo chi ba o ha ku

    sweep fallen leaves

  • 床を掃くyuka o ha ku

    sweep the floor

  • ほうきで掃くhō ki de ha ku

    sweep with a broom

Similar words

掃き集めるhakiatsumeru: To move loose material into one pile with a broom or brush.
掃き出すhakidasu: To move loose material out of a room or area with a broom or brush.
掃き清めるhakikiyomeru: To clean a place thoroughly by sweeping it, often in a formal or ceremonial setting.

Definition in Japanese

ほうきなどで、床や地面のごみ・落ち葉を払い、取り除いてきれいにする。hō ki na do de yuka ya ji men no go mi o chi ba o hara i to ri nozo i te ki re i ni su ru

Word origin

掃く (haku, "to sweep") is an old native Japanese verb whose original formation is not securely known; the character 掃 (sō, "sweep") was adopted to represent its meaning in writing.

Usage tips

  • 掃く (haku) commonly describes a routine household task, and Japanese instructions may use it when assigning someone to clean floors or outdoor areas.

Other meanings

  • brushverb

Related words

  • 掃き方hakikataway of sweepingnoun

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