掃除|そうじsouji[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N5approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbcleaning; sweeping; dusting; scrubbing
    あなたの部屋へやを掃除そうじしましたか。↗
    Did you clean your room?
Conjugation
Dictionary form掃除する(そうじする)
Polite (masu)掃除します(そうじします)
Negative (nai)掃除しない(そうじしない)
polite (masen)掃除しません(そうじしません)
classical zu / nu掃除せず・掃除せぬ(そうじせず・そうじせぬ)
Past (ta)掃除した(そうじした)
polite (mashita)掃除しました(そうじしました)
Past negative (nakatta)掃除しなかった(そうじしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)掃除しませんでした(そうじしませんでした)
Te form掃除して(そうじして)
Potential掃除できる(そうじできる)
Passive掃除される(そうじされる)
Causative掃除させる(そうじさせる)
Causative passive掃除させられる(そうじさせられる)
Conditional (ba)掃除すれば(そうじすれば)
tara掃除したら(そうじしたら)
Volitional掃除しよう(そうじしよう)
polite (mashou)掃除しましょう(そうじしましょう)
Imperative掃除しろ(そうじしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym清掃せいそうWrittenWritten/formal word for cleaning; works for homes and public spaces but is typical of industry and public notices, as in 「清掃員」「清掃中」.
  • Related洒掃さいそうWrittenWritten word for cleaning by sprinkling water and sweeping; rare in modern Japanese, so in everyday speech say 「掃除」.
  • Related掃き出すはきだすNeutralVerb for sweeping rubbish or dust out with a broom; it focuses on the action of sweeping something out rather than cleaning in general.
  • Antonym汚すよごすNeutralThe opposite of 「掃除」: to make something dirty; figuratively it also means disgracing one's name or honour.
  • Antonym散らかすちらかすCasualColloquial opposite of 「掃除」: to leave a room or your things in a mess.

Use 「掃除」 for cleaning in everyday speech. 「清掃」 is the written choice, common in industry and notices like 「清掃員」「清掃中」; 「掃き出す」 means sweeping rubbish out. Opposites: 「汚す」 (to dirty or disgrace) and 「散らかす」 (to leave things in a mess).

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

Japanese definitions
  1. ごみや埃ほこり、汚よごれなどを取り除とりのぞいて綺麗きれいにすること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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