Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 掃除する | sōji suru |
| 清潔にする | seiketsu ni suru |
The verb 掃除する refers to the physical act of tidying up or removing dirt, such as sweeping or vacuuming. You can also use the noun 掃除 to mean 'cleaning' or 'housework' on its own. Other related terms include 綺麗, which means clean or beautiful and is used to describe tidy and aesthetically pleasing spaces. 清潔 is a formal way to say clean, conveying hygiene, cleanliness and purity. And すっきり translates to clean or refreshing and describes a feeling of cleanliness and organization. In a sports context, クリーン is used as the first part of the weightlifting term 'clean and jerk'.
Which one should you use?
Use 掃除する when you are performing the physical task of tidying up or removing dirt. Use 清潔にする when the focus is on maintaining hygiene or making something sanitary rather than just tidying up.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 掃除する is 掃除した. To ask someone to clean, you use the polite form 掃除してください.
How do you pronounce it?
sōji suru
Did you know?
- In Japanese schools, students usually perform 掃除 (sōji) themselves instead of hiring janitors. This daily ritual is designed to teach responsibility and respect for their environment.
- There is a specific Japanese concept called 断捨離 (danshari) that goes beyond 掃除 (sōji). It refers to the art of refusing, disposing and separating unnecessary belongings to clear the mind.
- The term 大掃除 (ōsōji) refers to the 'big cleaning' performed at the end of the year. It is a cultural tradition to purify the home and spirit before the New Year arrives.
Examples in context
- 私は母が台所を掃除するのを手伝った。I helped my mother clean the kitchen.This sentence shows how to use 掃除する to describe helping with a task.Tatoeba #152870 by bunbuku, translation #261676 by CK
- 私が部屋を掃除する番にあたっていた。It was my turn to clean the room.This sentence uses 掃除する to indicate a turn or responsibility for cleaning.Tatoeba #167427 by bunbuku, translation #247074 by CK
- 自分の部屋を掃除するだけでいいんだよ。All you have to do is to clean your room.This sentence uses 掃除する to state a simple requirement for cleaning one's room.Tatoeba #231888 by KK_kaku_, translation #69255 by Lumi_alt
- 彼女の家はとても清潔です。Her house is very clean.
- このホテルの客室はいつも綺麗です。The hotel rooms are always clean.
- この新しいレストランのトイレはとてもきれいなんだよ。The toilets in this new restaurant are really clean, you know.
- 今日、大掃除が終わって、家中がすっきりした。Today, after finishing the big cleaning, my whole house feels so clean and organized.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking in their living room about household chores.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太君、リビングを掃除する？Yota-kun, ribingu o souji suru?Yota, are you going to clean the living room?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、今から掃除するよ。Un, ima kara souji suru yo.Yeah, I'll clean it now.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、助かるわ。Arigatou, tasukaru wa.Thank you, that helps a lot.
- 陽太 Yota美咲も手伝ってくれる？Misaki mo tetsudatte kureru?Will you help me too, Misaki?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clean” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
