Explore 掃 in everyday cleaning. Learn each reading with a complete word and its context.
The idea
掃 has 11 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 掃く is はく, while 掃除 is そうじ and 掃除機 is そうじき. 掃除する means to clean.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 掃く | はく | to sweep |
| 掃除 | そうじ | cleaning |
| 掃除機 | そうじき | vacuum cleaner |
Examples
- 毎朝、部屋を掃除します。I clean my room every morning.
- ほうきで玄関を掃きます。I sweep the entrance with a broom.
- 放課後、みんなで教室を掃除しました。We cleaned the classroom after school.
- 庭の落ち葉を掃いてください。Please sweep the fallen leaves in the garden.
- 掃除機は押し入れにあります。The vacuum cleaner is in the closet.
- 床を拭く前に、掃き掃除をします。I sweep the floor before wiping it.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
掃く specifically means to sweep; 掃除 is cleaning more generally. Do not confuse 掃 with 帰, which means to return.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 掃く in hiragana.
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はく
掃く is はく: it describes sweeping, for example with a broom.
Write the reading of 掃除 in hiragana.
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そうじ
掃除 is そうじ: 掃除する means to clean.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿除（そうじ）［掃／帰］.
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掃
掃 completes 掃除, read そうじ; 帰 does not form this word.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 掃く in hiragana.
Write the reading of 掃除 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿除（そうじ）［掃／帰］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 掃 following the diagram. Cover the table, read 掃く and 掃除, then make a sentence with one.