Japanese word

磨く

Pronunciation

Romajimigaku

Meaning

  • verbbrush

Example

毎朝、歯を磨きます。mai asa ha o miga ki ma su

I brush my teeth every morning.

Illustration for 磨く (brush)

More examples

学校へ行く前に歯を磨きます。gak kō e i ku mae ni ha o miga ki ma su

I brush my teeth before going to school.

旅行の前に、靴を磨きました。ryo kō no mae ni kutsu o miga ki ma shi ta

I polished my shoes before the trip.

Core concept

Describes rubbing a surface repeatedly to remove dirt or make it smooth and shiny.

Common phrases

  • 歯を磨くha o miga ku

    brush one's teeth

  • 靴を磨くkutsu o miga ku

    polish shoes

  • 鏡を磨くkagami o miga ku

    polish a mirror

  • 腕を磨くude o miga ku

    improve one's skills

Similar words

こするkosuru: To rub something against a surface or with a hand to remove dirt.
磨き上げるmigakiageru: To polish an object thoroughly until it becomes smooth or shiny.
ブラッシングするburasshingusuru: To clean teeth by moving a brush over them.

Definition in Japanese

歯や物の表面をこすって汚れを落としたり、つやを出したりする。ha ya mono no hyō men o ko su tte yogo re o o to shi ta ri tsu ya o da shi ta ri su ru

Word origin

The origin of the native Japanese verb 磨く (migaku) is uncertain, so it is not explained as a compound or borrowed word; its written form uses 磨 (ma, "polish").

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses one verb for brushing teeth and polishing shoes, so context determines whether brush or polish is the natural English choice.

Other meanings

  • polishverb

Related words

  • 磨きmigakipolishingnoun
  • 磨き方migakikataway of polishingnoun

Word lists with this word