How to say "scrub" in Japanese

• こするJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbEssentially 'to rub', it covers the verb 'scrub' — cleaning a surface by rubbing it hard, as with a floor or a pot; usually written in kana.
  石せっけんを付つけてごしごしこすれば汚よごれが落おちます。↗

  Rub briskly with soap, and the stain will soon wash off.
• 磨くみがくJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbPrimarily means to polish; it covers 'scrub' in the scouring sense — rubbing a pan until it is clean and gleaming, when the polished result matters more than the rubbing motion.
  弟おとうとは銀ぎんの食器しょっき類るいを磨みがいた。↗

  My brother polished the silver.
• はえCommon
  nounThe noun 'scrub': a person of no worth. It is a derogatory insult for dismissing someone as a nobody, and has nothing to do with scrubbing things clean.

For the cleaning verb 'scrub', use 「こする」 for the rubbing action itself and 「磨く」 when the point is scouring something until it shines; for the noun 'scrub' meaning a worthless person, use derogatory 「はえ」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• こするto rub
• 磨くみがくto polish
• 摩するまするto rub
• やぶthicket
• スクラブ(facial) scrub
• はえperson of no worth