“To clean” in Japanese is 掃除する (そうじする), pronounced sōji suru.
Pronunciation
The word has 5 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To clean (a room or house). Japanese students clean their own classrooms every day.
Example sentences
- 週末に部屋を掃除します。しゅうまつにへやをそうじします。I clean my room at the weekend.
- 掃除はもう終わりました。そうじはもうおわりました。The cleaning is already done.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 掃除する. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 掃除する そうじする | clean |
| Polite present | 掃除します そうじします | clean |
| Polite negative | 掃除しません そうじしません | don’t clean |
| Polite past | 掃除しました そうじしました | past of “clean” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 掃除しない そうじしない | don’t clean (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 掃除した そうじした | past of “clean” (casual) |
| て-form | 掃除して そうじして | clean and… / please clean (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 掃除したい そうじしたい | want to clean |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to clean in Japanese?
To clean in Japanese is 掃除する (そうじする), pronounced “sōji suru”.
How do you write to clean in Japanese?
It's written 掃除する with kanji, or そうじする in hiragana. Both are read sōji suru.
Is 掃除する on the JLPT?
Yes. 掃除する (sōji suru) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.