When you want to talk about things you use to clean, like a broom or a mop, you can use the Japanese word 掃除道具 (そうじどうぐ).
It literally means "cleaning tools." You'll often hear this word when people are talking about tidying up their homes or workplaces.
For example, if you're looking for a dustpan and brush, those are both 掃除道具.
Knowing this word helps you understand conversations about household chores and cleaning supplies.
When you're tidying up your home or workplace, you'll often need specific items to get the job done. That's where 掃除道具 (souji dougu) comes in. This term refers to any tools or implements used for cleaning.
Think of things like brooms, mops, dustpans, and even vacuum cleaners—these are all considered 掃除道具. It's a practical phrase to know for daily life and understanding household chores.
§ Don't confuse it with just '掃除'
Many learners, when they first encounter 掃除道具 (soujidougu), might mistakenly use it interchangeably with 掃除 (souji). While related, they are not the same. 掃除 (souji) means 'cleaning' as an action, or the act of cleaning itself. 掃除道具 (soujidougu) specifically refers to the *tools* used for cleaning. Think of it this way: you do 掃除 (souji) *with* 掃除道具 (soujidougu).
- DEFINITION
- 掃除 (souji): Cleaning (the act)
今日の掃除は大変だった。
- HINT
- Today's cleaning was tough.
You would never say 'I bought a 掃除 to clean the house.' You would say 'I bought 掃除道具 to clean the house.' This distinction is crucial for natural-sounding Japanese.
§ Using specific vs. general terms
While 掃除道具 (soujidougu) is a great general term for cleaning tools, sometimes learners overuse it when a more specific term would be better. Japanese, like English, often uses specific nouns for common items. For instance, if you're talking about a broom, using 箒 (hōki) is more precise than just 掃除道具 (soujidougu). Similarly, a vacuum cleaner is 掃除機 (sōjiki).
- DEFINITION
- 箒 (hōki): Broom
箒で床を掃く。
- HINT
- Sweep the floor with a broom.
It's not wrong to say 'I need some 掃除道具' when you're listing various items, but if you're specifically looking for a vacuum, asking for 掃除機 (sōjiki) is more natural.
Instead of: 私は新しい掃除道具が欲しいです。(I want new cleaning tools. - When you mean a vacuum.)
Say: 私は新しい掃除機が欲しいです。(I want a new vacuum cleaner.)
§ Overgeneralizing the usage
Another mistake is using 掃除道具 (soujidougu) for items that aren't strictly for 'cleaning' in the household sense. For example, garden tools like shovels or rakes, while they might 'clean up' a garden, are generally not referred to as 掃除道具 (soujidougu). They fall under 園芸用品 (engei yōhin - gardening supplies) or just 道具 (dōgu - tools) if the context is clear.
- DEFINITION
- 園芸用品 (engei yōhin): Gardening supplies
ホームセンターで園芸用品を買った。
- HINT
- I bought gardening supplies at the home center.
While 掃除道具 (soujidougu) is a versatile term, it's best to keep its core meaning in mind: items used for keeping things tidy and clean indoors, or surfaces like floors and windows. If it's for another type of 'tidying up' like gardening or repairs, different vocabulary will be more accurate.
Ponte a prueba 12 preguntas
Where are the cleaning tools?
These cleaning tools are easy to use.
I bought new cleaning tools.
Read this aloud:
掃除道具を貸してもらえますか？
Focus: souji dougu
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
どんな掃除道具が必要ですか？
Focus: donna souji dougu
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
この掃除道具はとても便利です。
Focus: benri desu
Dijiste:
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この部屋をきれいに保つためには、適切な___が不可欠です。(To keep this room clean, the right ___ are indispensable.)
文脈から、部屋をきれいにするために必要なものは「掃除道具」であるとわかります。(From the context, it's understood that what's needed to clean a room is 'cleaning tools'.)
引っ越しで、古い___をすべて処分し、新しいものを揃えました。(When I moved, I got rid of all the old ___ and bought new ones.)
「処分し、新しいものを揃えた」という文脈から、日用品である「掃除道具」が適切です。(From the context of 'got rid of and bought new ones', 'cleaning tools' which are daily necessities is appropriate.)
プロの清掃員は、どんな汚れにも対応できる様々な種類の___を持っています。(Professional cleaners have various types of ___ that can handle any dirt.)
「どんな汚れにも対応できる」という部分が、プロの清掃員が使う「掃除道具」であることを示唆しています。(The phrase 'can handle any dirt' suggests that these are 'cleaning tools' used by professional cleaners.)
環境に配慮した___を選ぶことは、持続可能な生活を送る上で重要です。(Choosing environmentally friendly ___ is important for living a sustainable life.)
「環境に配慮した」という言葉は、日々の生活で使う「掃除道具」にも適用される考え方です。(The phrase 'environmentally friendly' is a concept that applies to 'cleaning tools' used in daily life.)
年末の大掃除に向けて、不足している___を買い足しました。(For the year-end big cleaning, I bought additional ___ that I was lacking.)
「年末の大掃除」という文脈から、必要なものは「掃除道具」であることが明らかです。(From the context of 'year-end big cleaning', it's clear that what's needed are 'cleaning tools'.)
共同住宅では、住民が共有できる___の保管場所を設けています。(In communal housing, we provide a storage area for ___ that residents can share.)
共同で使うもので、清潔を保つために必要なものは「掃除道具」が最も適切です。(Among shared items, 'cleaning tools' are the most appropriate for maintaining cleanliness.)
/ 12 correct
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Ejemplo
掃除道具を収納する場所がない。
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