擦る・擂る・摩る・磨る|するsuru[1]atamadaka (head-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Which spelling to use
擦る擦る（する） is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. It appears as a mixed kanji-kana spelling.
擂る擂る（する） is a less common mixed kanji-kana written variant of 擦る（する）. It is encountered less often than 擦る（する）.
摩る摩る（する） is a rarely used mixed kanji-kana written form. You will seldom see it instead of 擦る（する）.
磨る磨る（する） is a rarely used mixed kanji-kana written form. You will seldom see it instead of 擫る（する）.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto rub; to chafe; to strike (match); to file; to frost (glass)
- godan verb, transitive verbto squander (one's money); to run through (one's fortune); to lose money (e.g. by gambling)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 擦る（する） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 擦ります（すります） |
| Negative (nai) | 擦らない（すらない） |
| polite (masen) | 擦りません（すりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 擦らず・擦らぬ（すらず・すらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 擦った（すった） |
| polite (mashita) | 擦りました（すりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 擦らなかった（すらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 擦りませんでした（すりませんでした） |
| Te form | 擦って（すって） |
| Potential | 擦れる（すれる） |
| Passive | 擦られる（すられる） |
| Causative | 擦らせる（すらせる） |
| Causative passive | 擦らせられる・擦らされる（すらせられる・すらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 擦れば（すれば） |
| tara | 擦ったら（すったら） |
| Volitional | 擦ろう（すろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 擦りましょう（すりましょう） |
| Imperative | 擦れ（すれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
手が擦れる
手を擦る
擦れる emphasizes the event or resulting state involving 手, as in 手が擦れる; 擦る foregrounds the agent acting on 手, as in 手を擦る.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymさするNeutralGentle, repeated stroking with the palm or fingers, e.g. rubbing someone's back; 「擦る」 is general rubbing, and also striking a match or losing money gambling.
- Synonym摩擦まさつNeutralA Sino-Japanese noun for physical friction or discord between people; 「擦る」 is a native verb for the concrete acts of rubbing, striking, and filing.
- SynonymもむNeutralTo knead or massage by squeezing and releasing; also a heated argument. 「擦る」 is rubbing along a surface.
- Synonym摩するまするWrittenWritten style: to rub hard, or to press right up against, as in 「天を摩する」; in everyday speech people just say 「こする」.
- Related磨くみがくNeutralTo polish until shiny, or figuratively to hone a skill; 「擦る」 carries no sense of aiming for a shine.
- Related擦れるすれるNeutralIntransitive: two surfaces rub together or something wears down; figuratively, to become sly or worldly. 「擦る」 is the transitive counterpart.
- Related擦れ合うすれあうNeutralMutual rubbing — two things rub against each other; figuratively, to clash or quarrel. 「擦る」 is one side doing the rubbing.
- RelatedなすりつけるNeutralTo rub or smear something onto a surface; also to shift blame onto someone. 「擦る」 is the rubbing itself, plus striking a match or gambling money away.
- RelatedかするNeutralTo lightly graze or skim past, like a bullet grazing its target; also to skim a cut off the top. 「擦る」 is rubbing pressed against the surface.
- Related擦りむくすりむくNeutralTo scrape the skin, as in 「膝を擦りむく」; 「擦る」 is just the act of rubbing.
- Relatedすり潰すすりつぶすNeutralTo grind or mash something to pieces; figuratively, to run through a fortune. 「擦る」 means rubbing or striking a match.
Default to 「擦る」 for rubbing, striking a match, or losing money gambling. Choose 「摩る」 for gentle stroking, 「磨く」 for polishing, 「擦りむく」 for scraped skin, and 「掠る」 for a light graze.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- こする。
- マッチをこすりつけ、火をつける。
- 使い果たす。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
