grate, rub, scratch, scrape

About this kanji

The kanji 擦 (satsu) primarily means to rub or scrape and is often used in verbs. One common verb is 擦る (こする, kosuru), which means 'to rub' or 'to scrub.' Another representative compound is 摩擦 (まさつ, masatsu), meaning 'friction,' highlighting how rubbing surfaces can create resistance. You might also encounter 擦り傷 (すりきず, surikizu), which translates to 'scratch'—a result of rubbing something against a surface. A usage note to keep in mind is that this kanji emphasizes a physical action typically involving surfaces in contact, which can lead to wear or marks.

Example sentences

• 窓を擦ってきれいにした。

  I cleaned the window by rubbing it.

Meanings across languages

English

grate, rub, scratch, scrape, chafe, scour

Tiếng Việt

bào, cọ, cào, cạo, ma sát, chải

日本語

擦る, こする, 引っ掻く, 削る, 擦れ, こする

한국어

갈다, 문지르다, 긁다, 벗기다, 마찰하다, 씻다

中文

擦, 摩擦, 抓, 刮, 磨, 洗

id

menggosok

th

ขูด

es

raspar

fr

râper

de

reiben

pt

ralar

Common compounds

• 摩擦まさつfriction, rubbing, chafing
• 擦るこするto rub, to scrub, to scrape
• 擦れ擦れすれすれgrazing, skimming, almost touching
• 擦り傷すりきずscratch, graze, scrape
• 塗擦とさつrubbing an ointment into the skin
• 擦痕さっこんstria (carved out by a glacier, etc.)
• 擦りこすりrubbing, scrubbing, scraping
• 擦れすれchafing, sore, scrape