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A2 verb #2,500 most common 9 min read

掃除します

sojishimasu
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 掃除します in 30 Seconds
Explanation 掃除します in your Level:
At the A1 level, '掃除します' (souji shimasu) is introduced as a basic daily routine verb. Learners focus on the simple present tense to describe what they do at home. The emphasis is on the structure 'Place + wo + souji shimasu.' At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex kanji; focus on the sound and the basic meaning of 'to clean.' You learn it alongside words like 'heya' (room) and 'ie' (house). It is one of the essential verbs for describing your lifestyle and chores. You will likely learn the polite form first to communicate with teachers or hosts.
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At the A2 level, you expand your use of '掃除します' to include different tenses and basic adverbs. You can now say 'I cleaned my room yesterday' (souji shimashita) or 'I will clean tomorrow.' You start to distinguish 'souji' from 'katazuke' (tidying). You also learn to use it with frequency words like 'yoku' (often) or 'tokidoki' (sometimes). You might also learn the 'te-form' to ask someone to clean: 'souji shite kudasai.' This level focuses on practical communication in everyday life, such as talking about your weekend plans or household responsibilities.
At the B1 level, you begin to use '掃除します' in more complex sentence structures. You can explain *why* you are cleaning using conjunctions like 'kara' or 'node' (e.g., 'Since guests are coming, I will clean'). You also become familiar with the potential form 'souji dekimasu' (can clean) and the volitional form 'souji shimashou' (let's clean). You start to recognize the kanji 掃除 and understand its components. You can also discuss broader topics like 'Oosouji' (New Year cleaning) and its cultural significance in Japan, moving beyond just personal chores to social customs.
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At the B2 level, you use '掃除' as both a noun and a verb fluently. You understand the difference between 'souji' and the more formal 'seisou' (清掃) used in business or public contexts. You can use the passive voice 'souji saremasu' (is cleaned) or causative 'souji sasemasu' (make someone clean). You are comfortable reading articles about environmental cleaning or the psychological benefits of a clean space. Your vocabulary expands to include specific cleaning tools and methods, and you can give detailed instructions or opinions on cleaning standards in different cultures.
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At the C1 level, '掃除' is used in nuanced and idiomatic ways. You might encounter it in literary texts or advanced sociological discussions about Japanese society's obsession with cleanliness. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its connection to Zen Buddhism and 'soji' (monastic cleaning). You can debate the merits of school cleaning programs or the ethics of the cleaning industry. You are also familiar with related professional terms like 'tokushu seisou' (specialized cleaning) and can navigate complex legal or contractual language regarding property maintenance and cleaning obligations.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '掃除' and its place in the Japanese lexicon. You can appreciate the philosophical depth of cleaning as a form of 'shugyo' (ascetic training). You can use the word in high-level academic writing, discussing the intersection of public hygiene, urban planning, and social behavior. You understand subtle puns or metaphors involving cleaning and can switch effortlessly between the most casual slang and the most formal honorifics (keigo) when discussing the act of cleaning. Your understanding is not just linguistic, but deeply cultural and contextual.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

掃除します in 30 Seconds

  • 掃除します (souji shimasu) means 'to clean' a space.
  • It is a Group 3 verb (Noun + shimasu).
  • It specifically targets dirt, dust, and general mess in a room.
  • It is culturally significant in Japanese schools and homes.

The Japanese verb 掃除します (souji shimasu) is a fundamental action verb that every learner encounters early in their journey. At its core, it refers to the act of cleaning a physical space, such as a room, a house, or a building. Unlike English, where 'cleaning' can be a very broad term, souji specifically implies the removal of dust, dirt, and clutter from an environment to make it habitable and hygienic. It is a compound verb consisting of the noun 掃除 (souji) and the auxiliary verb します (shimasu - to do).

Etymology of Kanji
The first kanji 掃 (sou) means to sweep or brush away. The second kanji 除 (ji/jo) means to exclude, remove, or get rid of. Together, they literally mean 'to sweep and remove.'
Grammatical Category
It is a Group 3 (Irregular) verb, specifically a 'Noun + Suru' verb. In polite form, it is 掃除します.
Scope of Use
It covers sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, and general tidying of a specific area.

毎日、自分の部屋を掃除します。 (Mainichi, jibun no heya wo souji shimasu.)

— Every day, I clean my room.

掃除機を使って、リビングを掃除します。 (Soujiki wo tsukatte, ribingu wo souji shimasu.)

— I clean the living room using a vacuum cleaner.

大掃除は一年の終わりに家全体を掃除します。 (Oosouji wa ichinen no owari ni ie zentai wo souji shimasu.)

— 'Oosouji' means cleaning the whole house at the end of the year.

学校の放課後、生徒たちは教室を掃除します。 (Gakkou no houkago, seitotachi wa kyoushitsu wo souji shimasu.)

— After school, students clean their classrooms.

プロの業者がオフィスを掃除します。 (Puro no gyousha ga ofisu wo souji shimasu.)

— Professional cleaners clean the office.
Direct Object Particle
Always use the particle を (wo) to indicate what is being cleaned. [Place] を 掃除します。
Frequency Adverbs
Commonly paired with words like 'tokidoki' (sometimes), 'mainichi' (every day), or 'yoku' (often).
Politeness Levels
掃除します is the polite (desu/masu) form. In casual speech, use 掃除する (souji suru).

Understanding 掃除します requires more than just knowing the translation. It requires an appreciation for the Japanese dedication to cleanliness (seiketsu). Whether it is the 'Oosouji' (Great Cleaning) before the New Year or the daily routine of keeping one's desk tidy, this verb is central to Japanese life. It is not just a chore; it is a ritual of purification and maintenance of harmony in one's environment.

Using 掃除します (souji shimasu) correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure as a suru-verb. This means the word 'souji' is a noun that becomes a verb when 'shimasu' is added. This flexibility allows it to be used in various tenses and moods quite easily. For beginners at the A2 level, the primary focus is on the present/future tense and the past tense.

Basic Sentence Pattern
[Subject] は [Location] を 掃除します。 (Subject cleans Location.)
Past Tense
掃除しました (souji shimashita) - I cleaned. Use this when the task is finished.
Negative Form
掃除しません (souji shimasen) - I do not clean / I will not clean.

昨日は忙しかったので、掃除しませんでした。 (Kinou wa isogashikatta node, souji shimasen deshita.)

— I was busy yesterday, so I didn't clean.

When you want to express the idea of 'cleaning up' or 'tidying,' you might also encounter the word katazukemasu. However, souji shimasu specifically targets dirt and dust. If you are vacuuming the floor, you are doing souji. If you are putting books back on the shelf, you are doing katazuke. In many cases, these two actions happen together, but they are distinct concepts in Japanese.

To describe how you clean, you can use adverbs. For example, kirei ni souji shimasu (to clean beautifully/thoroughly). This emphasizes the result of the action. You can also specify the tools used by using the particle で (de), which indicates means or instrument. For example, houki de souji shimasu (clean with a broom).

Using with 'Tai' (Desire)
掃除したいです (souji shitai desu) - I want to clean.
Using with 'Te-form' (Request)
掃除してください (souji shite kudasai) - Please clean.
Continuous Action
掃除しています (souji shite imasu) - I am cleaning right now.

In professional settings, such as a hotel or a rental agreement, you will see the noun form 掃除 used frequently. For example, 掃除代 (soujidai) refers to a cleaning fee. Understanding the transition from the noun 'souji' to the verb 'souji shimasu' is key to mastering Japanese vocabulary building.

You will encounter 掃除します (souji shimasu) in a variety of everyday situations in Japan. It is a word that permeates both private life and public responsibility. From the morning greetings in a neighborhood to the structured environment of a Japanese company, the concept of cleaning is vocalized frequently.

At Home
Parents often tell their children 'Heya wo souji shinasai!' (Clean your room!). On weekends, families might discuss 'Kyou wa issho ni souji shimashou' (Let's clean together today).
In Schools
One of the most iconic sounds in a Japanese school is the announcement for 'Souji no jikan' (Cleaning time). Students and teachers alike pick up brooms and cloths to clean the school building.
In the Workplace
Many Japanese companies have a culture of '5S' (Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, Shitsuke). Seiso is the formal word for cleaning, but in daily conversation, colleagues might say 'Asa no souji wo shimashou' (Let's do the morning cleaning).

「掃除の時間です。皆さん、持ち場に移動してください。」 (Souji no jikan desu. Minasan, mochiba ni idou shite kudasai.)

— It's cleaning time. Everyone, please move to your assigned areas.

In the hospitality industry, such as hotels or Ryokans, the staff will use very polite versions of this word. You might see a sign on your door that says '掃除してください' (Please clean) or '掃除は不要です' (Cleaning is not necessary). When the cleaning staff enters, they might say 'O-souji ni mairimashita' (I have come to clean), using humble language.

Social media and television also feature this word heavily in 'Life Hack' (raifu hakku) videos or 'Danshari' (decluttering) shows. Experts will demonstrate how to souji efficiently using specific products. If you walk into a drugstore like Matsumoto Kiyoshi, you will see an entire aisle dedicated to 'Souji youhin' (Cleaning supplies).

Community Events
Neighborhood associations (Chonaikai) often organize 'Machi no souji' (Town cleaning) events where residents gather to pick up litter.
New Year Traditions
'Oosouji' is a major topic of conversation in December, as people prepare to welcome the Toshigami (New Year deity) into a clean home.

While 掃除します (souji shimasu) is a straightforward verb, learners often make specific errors regarding its scope and its relationship with other 'cleaning' verbs. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more natural and avoid confusion.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Sentaku'
English speakers often use 'clean' for clothes (e.g., 'I need to clean my shirt'). In Japanese, you must use 洗濯します (sentaku shimasu) for laundry. Using souji for clothes sounds like you are vacuuming your shirt.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Katazuke'
As mentioned before, souji is for dirt/dust, while 片付けます (katazukemasu) is for organizing objects. If your room is messy with books on the floor but no dust, you need to katazuke, not souji.
Mistake 3: Particle Errors
Learners sometimes use に (ni) instead of を (wo). Remember: [Place] を 掃除します. You are acting upon the room, so the room is the direct object.

❌ 皿を掃除します。 (Sara wo souji shimasu.)

✅ 皿を洗います。 (Sara wo araimasu.)

— You 'wash' dishes, you don't 'clean' (souji) them.

Another common error is the over-reliance on the word 'kirei.' While kirei ni shimasu (make it clean) is a valid phrase, it is often more natural to use the specific verb souji shimasu when the action involves labor. Kirei ni shimasu can also mean 'to make something beautiful' or 'to decorate,' so it is less specific than souji.

Finally, pay attention to the level of formality. In a business context, using the noun form seiso (清掃) is often preferred in written reports or formal announcements, whereas souji is the standard for spoken interaction. Using souji in a highly technical manual might feel slightly too informal.

Transitive vs. Intransitive
掃除します is transitive. It requires an object. You cannot just say 'I am cleaning' without the context of 'what' being implied or stated.
Compound Verbs
Avoid adding 'shimasu' to verbs that already contain an action, like 'haku' (sweep). Use either 'souji shimasu' or 'hakimasu,' but not 'haku shimasu.'

To truly master 掃除します (souji shimasu), it is helpful to compare it with related terms in the Japanese 'cleanliness' vocabulary. Japanese has many specific words for different types of cleaning and organizing.

清掃 (Seisou)
This is the more formal, technical version of souji. You will see this on signs in public restrooms ('Seisou-chu' - Cleaning in progress) or in professional cleaning service names.
片付け (Katazuke)
This means to tidy up or put things back where they belong. It focuses on order rather than hygiene.
整理 (Seiri)
This means to organize or sort through things, often implying throwing away what you don't need. It is the first step of the 5S system.
整頓 (Seiton)
This means to arrange things neatly so they are easy to use. It often follows seiri.

部屋が散らかっているので、まずは片付けをしてから、掃除をします。

— The room is cluttered, so first I will tidy up, then I will clean (vacuum/dust).

There are also verbs for specific cleaning actions:

  • 掃く (haku): To sweep with a broom.
  • 拭く (fuku): To wipe with a cloth (zokin).
  • 磨く (migaku): To polish or brush (like teeth or shoes).
  • 洗う (arau): To wash with water.

In a more spiritual or deep-cleaning context, you might hear 浄化 (jouka), which means purification. While not used for daily chores, it reflects the cultural background of why souji is considered so important in Japan—it is a way to purify one's surroundings and mind.

洗濯 (Sentaku)
Specifically for washing fabrics/clothes. Never interchangeable with souji.
手入れ (Teire)
This means maintenance or care, often used for gardens (niwa no teire) or tools.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

~shimasu (polite present)

~shimashita (polite past)

~shite kudasai (requests)

~nagara (while doing)

~te kara (after doing)

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Examples by Level

1

部屋を掃除します。

I clean the room.

Basic 'Object + wo + Verb' structure.

2

毎日掃除します。

I clean every day.

Frequency adverb 'mainichi' used.

3

家を掃除しますか。

Do you clean the house?

Question form with 'ka'.

4

トイレを掃除します。

I clean the toilet.

Specific location object.

5

お母さんは掃除します。

My mother cleans.

Third person subject.

6

ここで掃除します。

I clean here.

Location particle 'de'.

7

掃除します。そして、休みます。

I will clean. And then, I will rest.

Using 'soshite' to connect actions.

8

窓を掃除します。

I clean the windows.

Direct object 'mado'.

1

週末に部屋を掃除しました。

I cleaned my room on the weekend.

Past tense 'shimashita'.

2

掃除機で掃除します。

I clean with a vacuum cleaner.

Instrument particle 'de'.

3

一緒に掃除しましょう。

Let's clean together.

Volitional form 'mashou'.

4

掃除してから、出かけます。

After cleaning, I will go out.

Te-form + kara (after doing...).

5

あまり掃除しません。

I don't clean very much.

Negative form with 'amari'.

6

掃除は大変ですが、好きです。

Cleaning is hard, but I like it.

Using 'ga' for contrast.

7

部屋をきれいに掃除してください。

Please clean the room thoroughly.

Te-form + kudasai (request).

8

明日、掃除するつもりです。

I intend to clean tomorrow.

Dictionary form + tsumori (intention).

1

お客さんが来るので、掃除しなければなりません。

Since guests are coming, I must clean.

Must do form 'nakereba narimasen'.

2

弟に掃除を手伝わせました。

I made my younger brother help with cleaning.

Causative form.

3

掃除が終わったら、お茶を飲みましょう。

When the cleaning is finished, let's have tea.

Tara-form (conditional/when).

4

もっと頻繁に掃除したほうがいいですよ。

You should clean more frequently.

Ta-form + hou ga ii (advice).

5

掃除すれば、気持ちがすっきりします。

If you clean, you will feel refreshed.

Ba-form (conditional).

6

掃除するのは面倒くさいです。

Cleaning is a hassle.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

7

プロに掃除を頼むことにしました。

I decided to ask a professional to clean.

Koto ni shimashita (decision).

8

掃除しながら、音楽を聴きます。

I listen to music while cleaning.

Nagara-form (simultaneous action).

1

このアパートは週に二回、業者が掃除してくれます。

In this apartment, a contractor cleans for us twice a week.

Te-kuremasu (benefactive).

2

掃除が行き届いていないホテルには泊まりたくない。

I don't want to stay in a hotel where cleaning is neglected.

Relative clause describing the hotel.

3

大掃除は、一年の汚れを落とす大切な行事です。

The big end-of-year cleaning is an important event to remove the year's dirt.

Defining a cultural concept.

4

掃除を怠ると、アレルギーの原因になります。

Neglecting cleaning can cause allergies.

U-form + to (consequence).

5

彼は掃除が得意で、いつも部屋がピカピカだ。

He is good at cleaning, and his room is always sparkling.

Tokui (skillful) + Onomatopoeia 'pikapika'.

6

掃除を済ませてから、ゆっくり映画を見ました。

After finishing the cleaning, I watched a movie leisurely.

Sumasete (completing an action).

7

学校の掃除を通じて、公共心を養います。

Through school cleaning, we cultivate a sense of public spirit.

Tsūjite (through/via).

8

掃除の仕方が分からないので、教えてください。

I don't know how to clean, so please teach me.

Masu-stem + kata (way of doing).

1

都市の美観を保つため、ボランティアが早朝から掃除に励んでいる。

To maintain the city's beauty, volunteers are working hard on cleaning from early morning.

Formal verb 'hagemu' (strive).

2

掃除という行為は、単なる家事を超えて精神修養の一環とされることもある。

The act of cleaning is sometimes considered part of spiritual training, beyond mere housework.

Abstract philosophical discussion.

3

徹底的な掃除が、感染症の拡大を抑制する鍵となる。

Thorough cleaning is the key to suppressing the spread of infectious diseases.

Academic/Medical context.

4

掃除の自動化が進み、ロボット掃除機が普及している。

The automation of cleaning is progressing, and robot vacuum cleaners are becoming widespread.

Social trend analysis.

5

彼は、掃除一つ取っても、その人の性格が表れると考えている。

He believes that even a single act of cleaning reveals a person's character.

Hitotsu totte mo (even taking one example).

6

環境保護の観点から、洗剤を使わない掃除方法が見直されている。

From the perspective of environmental protection, cleaning methods that don't use detergents are being re-evaluated.

Kanten kara (from the viewpoint of).

7

掃除が行き届いた庭園は、見る者の心を穏やかにさせる。

A well-maintained garden makes the viewer's heart feel calm.

Causative form for emotional impact.

8

契約書には、退去時の掃除に関する規定が明記されている。

The contract clearly states the regulations regarding cleaning at the time of moving out.

Formal legal language.

1

掃除という営みの中に、日本人の美意識と倫理観が凝縮されていると言っても過言ではない。

It is no exaggeration to say that the aesthetic sense and ethics of the Japanese people are condensed within the activity of cleaning.

High-level rhetorical expression.

2

禅寺における掃除は「動の瞑想」と呼ばれ、雑念を払う重要な修行である。

Cleaning in Zen temples is called 'moving meditation' and is an important practice to clear away idle thoughts.

Specialized cultural/religious terminology.

3

社会基盤の維持において、不可視な掃除労働が果たす役割は極めて大きい。

In the maintenance of social infrastructure, the role played by invisible cleaning labor is extremely significant.

Sociological analysis.

4

清掃活動の組織化が、地域コミュニティの再構築に寄与している事例が見受けられる。

There are cases where the organization of cleaning activities contributes to the reconstruction of local communities.

Formal academic observation.

5

掃除の徹底は、単なる衛生管理のみならず、組織の規律維持にも直結する。

Thorough cleaning is directly linked not only to simple hygiene management but also to the maintenance of organizational discipline.

Management philosophy.

6

歴史を紐解けば、掃除の習慣が公衆衛生の概念形成に多大な影響を及ぼしてきたことが分かる。

Unraveling history reveals that cleaning habits have had a profound influence on the formation of the concept of public health.

Historical analysis.

7

空間を掃除することは、同時に自己の内面を整理することと同義であると説く哲学者もいる。

Some philosophers preach that cleaning a space is synonymous with organizing one's internal self.

Philosophical equivalence.

8

持続可能な社会の実現には、掃除や修繕といった「ケア」の価値を再定義する必要がある。

To realize a sustainable society, it is necessary to redefine the value of 'care,' such as cleaning and repair.

Policy-level discourse.

Common Collocations

部屋を掃除する (clean a room)
家を掃除する (clean a house)
トイレを掃除する (clean the toilet)
掃除機をかける (to vacuum)
雑巾で掃除する (clean with a rag)
毎日掃除する (clean every day)
きれいに掃除する (clean thoroughly)
一緒に掃除する (clean together)
掃除を手伝う (help with cleaning)
掃除をサボる (skip cleaning)

Common Phrases

掃除の時間 (cleaning time)
大掃除 (big cleaning)
掃除当番 (cleaning duty)
掃除用具 (cleaning tools)
掃除完了 (cleaning finished)
掃除が行き届く (well-cleaned)
掃除の仕方 (how to clean)
掃除を頼む (ask for cleaning)
掃除を始める (start cleaning)
掃除が終わる (cleaning ends)

Often Confused With

掃除します vs 洗濯 (sentaku)

掃除します vs 片付け (katazuke)

掃除します vs 洗う (arau)

Idioms & Expressions

"心を掃除する (to clear one's mind)"
"身の回りを掃除する (to tidy up one's life/affairs)"
"一掃する (to sweep away/eradicate completely)"
"舞台を掃除する (to clear the stage - literal and figurative)"
"掃き溜めに鶴 (a crane in a trash heap - beauty in a mess)"
"塵も積もれば山となる (dust piled up becomes a mountain)"
"門前を掃く (to mind one's own business)"
"掃いて捨てるほどある (so many they are like trash to be swept)"
"部屋の乱れは心の乱れ (a messy room is a messy mind)"
"来た時よりも美しく (leave it cleaner than you found it)"

Easily Confused

掃除します vs

掃除します vs

掃除します vs

掃除します vs

掃除します vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

scope

Applies to rooms, buildings, and large areas.

exclusion

Does not apply to laundry, dishes, or teeth.

formality

Souji is standard; Seisou is formal/business.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'souji' for laundry.
  • Using 'souji' for dishes.
  • Forgetting the 'shimasu' and just saying 'souji'.
  • Confusing 'souji' with 'katazuke' (tidying).
  • Using the wrong particle (e.g., 'heya ni souji').

Tips

Particle Choice

Always use 'wo' for the object being cleaned. Example: Heya wo souji shimasu.

School Spirit

Remember that cleaning is a social duty in Japan, not just a personal chore.

Tools

Learn 'soujiki' (vacuum) and 'houki' (broom) to expand your sentences.

Invitations

Use 'souji shimashou' to sound helpful and cooperative.

Kanji

The kanji for souji (掃除) is complex but very rewarding to recognize.

Polite Prefix

Listen for 'O-souji' in formal settings like hotels or high-end shops.

Dirt vs Clutter

Use 'katazuke' if you are just moving things around, 'souji' for dust.

Morning Routine

Cleaning in the morning is considered a good habit in Japanese culture.

Community

Participating in local 'machi no souji' is a great way to meet neighbors.

Zen

Try to view cleaning as a way to clear your mind, as many Japanese do.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Sino-Japanese compound meaning 'to sweep and remove dirt.'

Cultural Context

Oosouji is a mandatory year-end tradition.

High standards of cleanliness in public transport and streets.

Students clean their schools daily.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"いつ掃除しますか？ (When do you clean?)"

"掃除は好きですか？ (Do you like cleaning?)"

"週末、一緒に掃除しませんか？ (Shall we clean together this weekend?)"

"掃除機はどこにありますか？ (Where is the vacuum cleaner?)"

"大掃除はもう終わりましたか？ (Have you finished the big cleaning yet?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、どこを掃除しましたか？ (Where did you clean today?)

掃除をすると、どんな気持ちになりますか？ (How do you feel when you clean?)

あなたの国の学校には掃除の時間がありますか？ (Does your country's school have cleaning time?)

掃除を楽しくする方法を書いてください。 (Write about ways to make cleaning fun.)

一番嫌いな掃除は何ですか？ (What is your least favorite cleaning task?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'kuruma wo souji shimasu' is correct for cleaning the interior.

It is a noun that becomes a verb when you add 'shimasu'.

It is the traditional 'Great Cleaning' done at the end of the year in Japan.

In polite Japanese, yes. In casual speech, it is often dropped.

No, use 'araimasu' for dishes.

It is 'soujiki' (掃除機).

Yes, but 'seisou' is more common in formal business documents.

It means 'cleaning duty' or being the person in charge of cleaning.

Yes, 'souji wo shimasu' and '掃除します' are both correct and common.

掃除は好きじゃありません (Souji wa suki ja arimasen).

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