sweep, brush

About this kanji

The kanji 掃 means "sweep" or "brush" and is often used in the context of cleaning. It is primarily used as a verb, as seen in 掃く (はく), which means "to sweep." You can also find it in several important compounds, such as 掃除 (そうじ), meaning "cleaning," and 清掃 (せいそう), which translates to "cleaning" or "sanitation work." Another compound, 一掃 (いっそう), means "clean sweep" and typically refers to completely removing something. When using this kanji, remember that it conveys not just the action of sweeping but also the broader concept of tidying up or cleaning spaces.

Example sentences

• 部屋を掃除する必要がある。

  The room needs to be cleaned.

Meanings across languages

English

sweep, brush

Tiếng Việt

quét, chải

日本語

掃く, ブラシ

한국어

쓸다, 브러시

中文

扫, 刷

id

menyapu

th

กวาด

es

barrer

fr

balayer

de

fegen

pt

varrer

Common compounds

• 清掃せいそうcleaning, clean-up, garbage collection
• 掃海そうかいsweeping the sea for mines, dragging for mines
• 掃除そうじcleaning, sweeping, dusting
• 一掃いっそうclean sweep, purging, doing away with
• 掃くはくto sweep, to brush, to clean
• 掃討そうとうcleaning up (enemy remnants), sweeping clean (of opponents), mopping up
• 掃除機そうじきvacuum cleaner, vacuum, hoover
• 大掃除おおそうじmajor cleanup, spring cleaning

Words using this kanji