掃除する
sōji suru
The Japanese verb for 'to clean' is 掃除する (sōji suru). Wiktionary also lists 清潔にする (seiketsu ni suru).
Meaning: (transitive) to remove dirt from a place or object (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 掃除する | sōji suru |
| 清潔にする | seiketsu ni suru |
Use these verbs to describe the action of removing dirt, clutter or germs from a place or object.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 掃除する is composed of the noun 掃除, meaning cleaning or sweeping and the verb する, meaning to do.
Which one should you use?
Use 掃除する when the focus is on the physical act of tidying up, sweeping or removing dirt and clutter from a space. Use 清潔にする when the focus is specifically on maintaining hygiene or making something sanitary and germ-free.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 掃除する is 掃除した. The continuous form, used to say someone 'is cleaning', is 掃除しています.
How do you pronounce it?
sōji suru
Did you know?
- In Japanese schools, students typically perform 掃除 themselves as part of their daily routine rather than hiring janitors to clean the classrooms.
- When a Japanese person says a place is 'clean', they might use the word きれい (kirei). This word is a 'double agent' because it can mean both 'clean' and 'beautiful'.
- In many Japanese homes, 'cleaning' includes a specific seasonal ritual called 大掃除 (ōsōji), or 'big cleaning', which is performed at the end of the year to welcome the gods of the new year.
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 when helping someone 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 describe taking a turn at a specific chore.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 a room.Tatoeba #231888 by KK_kaku_, translation #69255 by Lumi_alt
- 掃除 しなければなりません。I have to clean (formally).
- 清掃 が必要です。It is necessary to perform cleaning (formally).
- 部屋を整理整頓 しなければなりません。I have to organize and tidy up the room (formally).
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking in their living room before guests arrive.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、リビングを掃除するのを手伝って。Himari, ribingu o souji suru no o tetsudatte.Himari, please help me clean the living room.
- 陽葵 Himari分かった。掃除するね。Wakatta. Souji suru ne.Okay. I'll clean it.
- 大翔 Hiroto床も掃除してくれると嬉しいな。Yuka mo souji shite kureru to ureshii na.I would be happy if you cleaned the floor too.
- 陽葵 Himari了解。大翔、掃除機はどこ？Ryoukai. Hiroto, soujiki wa doko?Roger. Hiroto, where is the vacuum cleaner?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clean” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
