Meaning
To tidy up and clean a living space.
Cultural Background
Students are responsible for cleaning their own schools daily, a practice known as 'O-souji'. The 'Osoji' (Big Cleaning) at the end of the year is a spiritual ritual to welcome the New Year gods. Cleanliness is often equated with morality and respect for others in Japanese society.
Use 'Souji' for the act
If you want to say 'I'm doing the cleaning,' you can just say 'Souji shite imasu'.
The 'O' prefix
Adding 'O' to make it 'O-souji' makes it sound more respectful or refers to the school/ritual cleaning.
Meaning
To tidy up and clean a living space.
Use 'Souji' for the act
If you want to say 'I'm doing the cleaning,' you can just say 'Souji shite imasu'.
The 'O' prefix
Adding 'O' to make it 'O-souji' makes it sound more respectful or refers to the school/ritual cleaning.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing particle.
{部屋|へや} ___ {掃除|そうじ}します。
The particle 'o' marks the direct object of the verb.
Which one means 'I cleaned the room'?
Choose the past tense form.
'Shimashita' is the polite past tense of 'suru'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {週末|しゅうまつ}、何をしますか？ B: ___。
This is the most natural way to state a planned activity.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Cleaning Tools
Tools
- • {掃除機|そうじき}
- • {箒|ほうき}
- • {雑巾|ぞうきん}
Practice Bank
3 exercises{部屋|へや} ___ {掃除|そうじ}します。
The particle 'o' marks the direct object of the verb.
Choose the past tense form.
'Shimashita' is the polite past tense of 'suru'.
A: {週末|しゅうまつ}、何をしますか？ B: ___。
This is the most natural way to state a planned activity.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsYes, '{車|くるま}を{掃除|そうじ}する' is perfectly natural.
'Souji' is for home/daily use. 'Seisou' is for professional or public cleaning.
Related Phrases
{片付|かたづ}ける
similarTo tidy up / put away
{清掃|せいそう}する
specialized formProfessional cleaning
{洗濯|せんたく}する
similarTo do laundry
