掃除機
sōjiki[so̞ːʑikʲi]
The English phrase "vacuum cleaner" is 掃除機 (sōjiki) in Japanese.
掃除機 refers to the machine used for cleaning floors by sucking up dust and dirt. While you may encounter the katakana word クリーナー in specific product names or certain contexts, 掃除機 remains the standard term for the appliance.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 掃除機 is a compound of 掃除 (sōji), meaning "cleaning" and 機 (ki), meaning "machine".
How do you pronounce it?
sōjiki
Did you know?
- In Japan, the word 掃除 (sōji) doesn't just mean cleaning, but is often used to describe a ritualistic act of purifying a space, particularly in shrines and temples.
- In Japan, you might hear people refer to the vacuum cleaner as 'sōjiki-kun' if they are speaking to a child or personifying the machine. This adds a cute, personified suffix to the standard noun.
- Because of noise complaints in dense apartment complexes, many Japanese people avoid using their 掃除機 early in the morning or late at night.
Examples in context
- この掃除機、うるさいな。This vacuum cleaner is noisy.This sentence is useful for describing the noise level of the 掃除機.Tatoeba #11385112 by small_snow, translation #3598961 by dibdin
- 掃除機を貸してもらえますか。May I use the vacuum cleaner?This sentence is useful for asking to borrow a 掃除機.Tatoeba #140586 by small_snow, translation #273987 by CK
- この掃除機、音がでかいんだよ。This vacuum cleaner makes a lot of noise.This sentence is useful for noting that the 掃除機 makes a lot of noise.Tatoeba #9199441 by bunbuku, translation #58038 by CK
- 昨日、新しい掃除機を買いました。Yesterday, I bought a new vacuum cleaner.
- 明日、新しい掃除機を買うつもりだ。I intend to buy a new vacuum cleaner tomorrow.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are cleaning the living room together.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵、掃除機を持ってきてくれる？Himari, sōjiki o motte kite kureru?Himari, can you bring the vacuum cleaner?
- 陽葵 Himariいいよ。どこにあるっけ？Ii yo. Doko ni aru kke?Sure. Where was it again?
- 蓮 Renあそこの棚の下にあるよ。Asoko no tana no shita ni aru yo.It's under the shelf over there.
- 陽葵 Himariあった！はい、掃除機ね。Atta! Hai, sōjiki ne.Found it! Here is the vacuum cleaner.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 掃除機, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
