How to say "wipe" in Japanese

• 拭くふくJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe plain, general word for wiping: running a cloth or towel over something to clean or dry it, as in wiping down a table or drying one's hands after washing.
  額がくの汗あせをふきなさい。↗

  Wipe the sweat from your brow.
• 拭うぬぐうCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbWipe in the sense of wiping something off or away, often moisture: wiping sweat from the brow or tears from a cheek, or mopping up a spill. The nuance is of clearing something away.
  彼かれは額がくの汗あせを拭ぬぐった。↗

  He wiped the sweat from his brow.

Use 「拭く」 for the everyday act of wiping a surface clean or dry, and 「拭う」 when wiping something off or away, such as mopping up moisture or wiping sweat or tears from the skin.

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

• 拭くふくto wipe
• 拭うぬぐうto wipe
• ワイプwipe (transition)
• なすりつけるto rub (on)
• ブロックアウトwipe (in volleyball)