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B1 verb #4,000 most common 8 min read

掃く

haku Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 掃く in 30 Seconds

Explanation 掃く in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'haku' as a simple action word. Think of it as part of your 'daily routine' vocabulary. You use it with 'houki' (broom) and 'yuka' (floor). It is a basic verb to describe cleaning your room. Focus on the simple present form 'hakimasu' and the request form 'haite kudasai' (please sweep). At this stage, just remember: Broom + Floor = Haku.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'haku' in compound sentences and with different objects like 'niwa' (garden) or 'ochiba' (fallen leaves). You should be able to distinguish 'haku' from 'fuku' (wipe). You might use it to describe chores you do at home or school. You will also learn the 'te-form' (haite) to connect it with other actions, like 'sweeping and then throwing away the trash' (haite, gomi o sutemasu).

At the B1 level, you understand the nuances of 'haku'. You can use it to describe specific architectural features like 'hakidashi-mado' (floor-to-ceiling windows). You understand that 'haku' is a Godan verb and can conjugate it into the potential (hakeru), passive (hakareru), and causative (hakaseru) forms. You also start to see it in cultural contexts, such as cleaning a shrine or the concept of 'Oosouji' (big year-end cleaning).

At the B2 level, you use 'haku' in more idiomatic or specialized ways. You might encounter it in literature to describe the sound or atmosphere of a place (the sound of sweeping). You are comfortable with compound verbs like 'haki-atsumeru' (sweep together) or 'haki-dasu' (sweep out). You also understand the metaphorical sense of 'sweeping away' or clearing a path, although this is more common in written Japanese.

At the C1 level, you recognize 'haku' in classical or highly formal contexts. You might see it in historical texts or specialized craft descriptions (like brushing gold leaf or specific painting techniques). You understand the subtle differences between 'haku', 'harau', and 'kiyomeru' in religious or ritualistic contexts. You can discuss the philosophy of cleaning in Japanese culture using this verb as a focal point.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'haku'. You understand its use in obscure idioms or as part of complex kanji compounds in technical documents. You can appreciate the aesthetic value described by the verb in 'Zen' gardening or traditional architecture. You are also aware of rare homophones and can use the word with perfect precision in any register, from slang to humble-polite speech.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

掃く in 30 Seconds

To sweep using a broom.
Used for floors, gardens, and paths.
A Godan verb (u-verb) conjugated as haku/haite.
Distinguished from wiping (fuku) or general cleaning (souji).

The Japanese verb 掃く (haku) is a fundamental action verb primarily used to describe the act of sweeping or brushing a surface to remove dust, dirt, or debris. Unlike the general term for cleaning, 掃除する (souji suru), which encompasses everything from organizing to vacuuming, 掃く specifically refers to the physical motion of using a broom (ほうき, houki) or a brush to clear a floor, a path, or a specific area. In the hierarchy of Japanese domesticity, 掃く is an essential skill often associated with the traditional image of keeping a home or temple grounds tidy. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object—the thing being swept, such as the floor (床, yuka) or the garden (庭, niwa).

Physical Action: The core meaning is to move a tool across a surface to gather or remove loose material. This is most commonly done with a broom on a hard floor or outdoors.
Specialized Usage: In more specific contexts, it can refer to brushing away things like crumbs from a table or even applying certain types of makeup with a brush, though 'haku' for makeup is less common than 'nuru' or 'tsukeru'.
Metaphorical Nuance: While mostly literal, it implies a sense of purification and order. In Zen Buddhism, sweeping the garden is a form of active meditation, focusing the mind on the present task.

毎朝、玄関の前をほうきで掃くのが日課です。(Maiasa, genkan no mae o houki de haku no ga nikka desu.) - Sweeping in front of the entrance with a broom every morning is my daily routine.

Understanding the cultural weight of 掃く involves recognizing its role in the concept of 'Kireizuki' (loving cleanliness). In Japanese schools, students are famously responsible for 'souji' time, where 'haku' is the most visible activity. It isn't just about dirt; it's about respect for the shared space. Whether you are sweeping fallen leaves (落ち葉を掃く, ochiba o haku) in autumn or cleaning the dust from a tatami mat, the verb carries a rhythmic, intentional quality. In modern contexts, while vacuum cleaners (掃除機, soujiki) have replaced brooms in many homes, the verb still holds strong for outdoor maintenance and traditional indoor settings.

落ち葉をきれいに掃き集めて、焚き火をしました。(Ochiba o kirei ni hakiatsumete, takibi o shimashita.) - I swept the fallen leaves together neatly and made a bonfire.

Compound Formations: 掃き出す (hakidasu): To sweep out. 掃き集める (hakiatsumeru): To sweep together in a pile. 掃き清める (hakikiyomeru): To sweep and purify (often used for sacred spaces).

Using 掃く (haku) correctly requires attention to the object being acted upon and the tool being used. It is a Group 1 (U-verb / Godan) verb, following the standard conjugation pattern for verbs ending in -ku. Because it is a physical action, it often appears in the continuous form (〜ている) to describe someone currently in the act of cleaning, or in the imperative form when giving chores to children or subordinates.

The Particle 'o' (を): The object being swept is marked with 'o'. Example: 教室を掃く (Kyouritsu o haku) - Sweep the classroom. You sweep the space, not just the dirt itself, though 'gomi o haku' (sweep the trash) is also common.
The Particle 'de' (で): The tool used (broom, brush) is marked with 'de'. Example: ほうきで掃く (Houki de haku) - Sweep with a broom.

「廊下を掃いておいてね」とお母さんに言われた。("Rouka o haite oite ne" to okaasan ni iwareta.) - My mom told me, "Sweep the hallway (in advance)."

In polite conversation, you will use the -masu form: 掃きます (hakimasu). In casual settings, the plain form 掃く (haku) suffices. When expressing a desire to sweep, use 掃きたい (hakitai). If you are describing the result of sweeping (that the place is now clean), you might use the passive form 掃かれる (hakareru), though this is less common than simply saying the place is 'kirei' (clean).

風で飛んできた砂を掃くのは大変だ。(Kaze de tonde kita suna o haku no wa taihen da.) - Sweeping the sand that blew in with the wind is a lot of work.

One interesting usage is the compound verb 掃き捨てる (hakisuteru), which literally means to sweep and throw away, but can also metaphorically mean to say something dismissively or to 'spit out' words, though 'hakidasu' is more common for the latter. In daily life, you'll most often hear 掃き掃除 (hakisouji), the noun form meaning 'cleaning by sweeping'.

神社を掃き清める巫女さんの姿が見えた。(Jinja o hakikiyomeru mikosan no sugata ga mieta.) - I saw a shrine maiden sweeping and purifying the shrine grounds.

You will encounter 掃く (haku) in various settings, ranging from domestic chores to professional maintenance and even historical dramas. In a Japanese household, it's a word parents use with children during morning routines or weekend cleaning. In schools, the 'Gomi-kakari' (trash duty) or 'Souji-touban' (cleaning duty) will frequently use this verb to coordinate who is responsible for the floors versus the windows.

Schools and Public Spaces: During 'Souji-no-jikan' (cleaning time), teachers might say, 'Yuka o chanto haite!' (Sweep the floor properly!). In public parks, you'll see workers 'haku' the paths during autumn.
Temples and Shrines: This is perhaps the most iconic setting for 'haku'. Monks sweeping the gravel (karesansui) or the stone paths is a quintessential image of Japanese discipline.
Construction and Workshops: Carpenters will 'haku' the sawdust (ogasuzu) at the end of a shift. It's about safety and maintaining a professional environment.

お寺の庭を掃く音だけが響いていた。(Otera no niwa o haku oto dake ga hibiite ita.) - Only the sound of sweeping the temple garden was echoing.

In television commercials for cleaning products, you might hear the term 掃き出し窓 (hakidashi-mado). This refers to a large sliding window that reaches down to the floor level, so named because you could literally 'sweep out' the dust from the floor through the window onto the veranda or garden. This architectural term is very common in real estate listings.

この部屋は掃き出し窓があって、日当たりがいいですね。(Kono heya wa hakidashi-mado ga atte, hiatari ga ii desu ne.) - This room has a floor-to-ceiling window, so it gets great sunlight, doesn't it?

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is confusing 掃く (haku) with other cleaning verbs or its homophones. Because 'clean' in English is a broad term, learners often default to 掃除する (souji suru) when 掃く would be more precise. Conversely, using 掃く for tasks that involve water or wiping is a major error.

Mistaking 'Haku' for 'Fuku': If you are using a cloth (zokin) and water, the verb is 拭く (fuku - to wipe). Using 'haku' here sounds like you are trying to sweep liquid with a broom, which is nonsensical.
Homophone Confusion: 履く (haku) is for shoes/trousers. 吐く (haku) is for vomiting/breathing out. Context usually clarifies, but in writing, using the wrong kanji is a common beginner-intermediate error.

× 雑巾で床を掃く (Zoukin de yuka o haku)
○ 雑巾で床を拭く (Zoukin de yuka o fuku)

Another mistake is using 掃く for a vacuum cleaner. While a vacuum cleaner 'cleans' the floor, the action is not sweeping. You should say 掃除機をかける (soujiki o kakeru). If you say 'soujiki de haku', it sounds like you are using the vacuum as a physical broom stick to push dirt around without turning it on.

× 掃除機で床を掃きました。
○ 掃除機で床をきれいにしました。

To truly master 掃く (haku), you must understand its place among other cleaning-related verbs. Japanese has a high degree of specificity regarding how things are cleaned.

掃除する (Souji suru): The umbrella term. If you don't know the specific action, this is your safest bet. It covers 'haku', 'fuku', and 'katadukeru' (tidying up).
拭く (Fuku): To wipe. Used for tables, windows, and floors (when using a rag). It implies surface contact to remove stains or moisture.
磨く (Migaku): To polish or brush (teeth/shoes). While 'haku' moves dirt away, 'migaku' aims to make the surface shine or get it deeply clean.
払う (Harau): To brush off or flick away. Often used for dust on clothes (埃を払う). It's a lighter, quicker motion than the rhythmic sweeping of 'haku'.

テーブルを拭いて、床を掃いて、窓を磨きました。(Wiped the table, swept the floor, and polished the windows.)

In professional contexts, you might hear 清掃する (Seisou suru), which is a formal version of 'souji suru'. However, even in formal reports, the specific action of sweeping is still referred to as 掃く or its noun form 清掃 (seisou) if it's broad. For instance, a street sweeper vehicle is called a 路面清掃車 (romen seisousha), but the physical act of a person doing it is 'haku'.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character for broom (帚) actually depicts a hand holding a bundle of grass or cloth. In ancient times, sweeping was considered a ritual to drive away evil spirits, not just physical dirt.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈhɑː.kuː/

US /ˈhɑ.ku/

Pitch accent: Atamadaka (Type 1). The 'ha' is high, and 'ku' is low.

Rhymes With

Kaku (to write) Taku (to cook) Maku (to sow) Saku (to bloom) Naku (to cry) Aku (to open) Iku (to go) Hiku (to pull)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'u' too strongly (it should be subtle).
Confusing the pitch with 'haku' (to wear), which is Heiban (flat).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The kanji 掃 is standard for N3 level but the verb is learned earlier.

Writing 3/5

The right side of the kanji 掃 (帚) can be tricky to write correctly.

Speaking 1/5

Easy to pronounce, but watch out for homophones.

Listening 2/5

Need to distinguish from 'haku' (wear/vomit) via context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ほうき (broom) 床 (floor) ごみ (trash) 掃除 (cleaning) 拭く (wipe)

Learn Next

片付ける (tidy up) 磨く (polish) 埃 (dust) 雑巾 (rag) 洗剤 (detergent)

Advanced

一掃 (eradication) 清掃 (formal cleaning) 塵 (dust/dirt) 煤払い (soot sweeping ritual)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs (他動詞)

床(Object) を掃く。

Godan Verb Conjugation

掃く -> 掃かない、掃きます、掃く、掃けば、掃こう、掃いて。

Tool Marker 'de'

ほうき(Tool) で掃く。

Compound Verbs (複合動詞)

掃き + 集める = 掃き集める (Sweep together).

State of being ~te aru

床が掃いてある (The floor has been swept).

Examples by Level

ほうきで床を掃きます。

I sweep the floor with a broom.

Basic transitive verb usage with 'o' and 'de'.

ここを掃いてください。

Please sweep here.

Request form using ~te kudasai.

毎日部屋を掃きます。

I sweep my room every day.

Adverb 'mainichi' used with the present habitual form.

お母さんは庭を掃いています。

My mother is sweeping the garden.

Present progressive form ~te iru.

ごみを掃きました。

I swept up the trash.

Past tense 'mashita'.

だれが掃きますか？

Who will sweep?

Interrogative 'dare' with the subject marker 'ga'.

きれいに掃きましょう。

Let's sweep it clean.

Volitional form ~mashou with adverb 'kirei ni'.

ほうきで掃くのは楽しいです。

Sweeping with a broom is fun.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no wa'.

落ち葉を掃き集めました。

I swept the fallen leaves together.

Compound verb: haki + atsumeru.

弟に廊下を掃かせました。

I made my younger brother sweep the hallway.

Causative form: hakaseru.

風が強いので、掃いてもすぐ汚れます。

Because the wind is strong, it gets dirty even if I sweep.

Concessive ~te mo (even if).

玄関を掃いてから、出かけます。

After sweeping the entrance, I will go out.

~te kara (after doing...).

このほうきは掃きやすいです。

This broom is easy to sweep with.

Verb stem + yasui (easy to do).

雨の日は外を掃きません。

I don't sweep outside on rainy days.

Negative form 'hakanai' / 'hakimasen'.

教室を掃くのを手伝ってください。

Please help me sweep the classroom.

Verb + no o tetsudau.

砂を外へ掃き出しました。

I swept the sand out to the outside.

Compound verb: haki + dasu.

掃き出し窓から庭に出られます。

You can go out to the garden through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Noun: hakidashi-mado.

隅々まで丁寧に掃いてください。

Please sweep every corner carefully.

Adverbial phrase 'sumizumi made'.

昨日は一日中、落ち葉を掃いていました。

I was sweeping leaves all day yesterday.

Continuous past tense ~te imashita.

この部屋はもう掃いてあります。

This room has already been swept.

Resultative state ~te aru.

ほうきがないので、掃けません。

I don't have a broom, so I can't sweep.

Potential negative: hakenai.

神社を掃き清めるのは、心が落ち着きます。

Sweeping and purifying the shrine calms my mind.

Compound verb: haki-kiyomeru.

彼は無言で玄関の階段を掃いていた。

He was silently sweeping the entrance steps.

Adverbial 'mugon de' (silently).

ごみを一箇所に掃き寄せてください。

Please sweep the trash into one spot.

Compound verb: haki-yoseru.

庭を掃く音が、朝の静寂を破った。

The sound of sweeping the garden broke the morning silence.

Verb as a modifier for 'oto' (sound).

彼は不機嫌そうに、砂を掃き捨てた。

He swept away the sand looking displeased.

Compound verb: haki-suteru.

床を掃くついでに、棚の埃も払った。

While I was at it sweeping the floor, I also dusted the shelves.

~tsuide ni (while doing X, also Y).

新しいほうきは、驚くほどよく掃ける。

The new broom sweeps surprisingly well.

Potential form hakeru indicating capability.

彼女は丁寧に、舞台の上の紙吹雪を掃いた。

She carefully swept the confetti off the stage.

Specific context: confetti (kamifubuki).

門の前を掃くのが、この家の主人の役目だ。

Sweeping in front of the gate is the duty of the head of this house.

Noun phrase 'yakume' (duty).

掃いても掃いても、きりがない。

No matter how much I sweep, there's no end to it.

Repetitive ~te mo form for emphasis.

職人は作業場の床をきれいに掃き清めた。

The craftsman swept and purified the workshop floor.

Formal compound 'haki-kiyomeru'.

修行僧たちは、夜明けとともに境内を掃き始める。

The monk trainees begin sweeping the temple grounds at dawn.

Verb stem + hajimeru (begin to).

その老人は、過去の記憶を掃き出すかのように掃除に没頭した。

The old man immersed himself in cleaning as if to sweep out his past memories.

Metaphorical usage with 'ka no you ni'.

掃き溜めに鶴とは、まさに彼女のことだ。

She is truly a 'crane in a rubbish heap' (a jewel in the muck).

Idiom: hakidame ni tsuru.

筆で墨を掃くような独特の画風が特徴です。

A unique painting style, like sweeping ink with a brush, is its characteristic.

Simile 'you na' for artistic technique.

彼は客を掃き出すように、足早に店を閉めた。

He closed the shop quickly as if to sweep the customers out.

Metaphorical causative-like usage.

伝統的な箒職人が作る道具は、掃き心地が違う。

Tools made by traditional broom craftsmen have a different 'sweeping feel'.

Noun: haki-gochi (feeling of sweeping).

枯山水の砂紋を掃くには、高度な技術を要する。

Sweeping the sand patterns of a dry landscape garden requires high-level skill.

Technical context of 'haku'.

都会の喧騒を掃き清めたような、静かな森の奥。

Deep in the quiet forest, as if the city's bustle had been swept and purified.

Metaphorical past-tense modifier.

世俗の垢を掃き清めるべく、彼は山に籠もった。

In order to sweep away the grime of the secular world, he secluded himself in the mountains.

Formal purpose marker 'beku'.

その一掃された景観は、人々の心に安らぎを与えた。

The landscape, which had been swept clean/cleared, gave peace to people's hearts.

Sino-Japanese compound 'issou' (sweeping away).

文豪は、無駄な修辞を掃き捨てるように簡潔な文章を綴った。

The great writer composed concise sentences, as if sweeping away useless rhetoric.

Advanced metaphorical literary usage.

歴史の塵を掃けば、隠された真実が姿を現す。

If one sweeps the dust of history, hidden truths reveal themselves.

Conditional 'ba' with abstract objects.

彼は己の傲慢さを掃き出すために、毎朝の掃除を欠かさない。

He never misses his morning cleaning to sweep out his own arrogance.

Abstract usage of 'hakidasu'.

銀砂を掃き立てたような雲が、空一面に広がっている。

Clouds like swept-up silver sand are spreading across the sky.

Poetic simile 'haki-tateta you na'.

政治の腐敗を一掃するという公約は、果たされなかった。

The pledge to sweep away political corruption was not fulfilled.

Noun 'issou' (clean sweep/eradication).

庭師は、一糸乱れぬ手つきで松の葉を掃き寄せた。

The gardener swept the pine needles together with a perfectly steady hand.

Advanced idiom 'isshi-midarenu'.

Common Collocations

ほうきで掃く

落ち葉を掃く

埃を掃く

玄関を掃く

庭を掃く

きれいに掃く

掃き出し窓

掃き集める

砂を掃く

隅々まで掃く

Common Phrases

掃き出し窓

— A large sliding window reaching the floor.

掃き出し窓から光が入る。

掃き掃除

— Cleaning done specifically by sweeping.

今日は掃き掃除だけにする。

掃き溜め

— A rubbish heap or a dusty place.

ここは掃き溜めのような場所だ。

掃き捨てる

— To sweep away or speak dismissively.

彼は暴言を掃き捨てた。

掃き清める

— To sweep and purify (religious).

境内を掃き清める。

一掃

— A complete sweep or eradication.

在庫を一掃する。

掃き出す

— To sweep out or exhale/vent.

煙を掃き出す。

ほうきを掃く

— Incorrect usage often heard from learners (should be 'with a broom').

×ほうきを掃く ○ほうきで掃く

床を掃く

— Standard 'sweep the floor'.

寝る前に床を掃く。

塵を掃く

— To sweep dust.

机の下の塵を掃く。

Often Confused With

掃く vs 拭く (fuku)

Fuku is for wiping with a cloth; haku is for sweeping with a broom.

掃く vs 履く (haku)

Same sound, but means to wear shoes or pants.

掃く vs 吐く (haku)

Same sound, but means to vomit or exhale.

Idioms & Expressions

"掃き溜めに鶴"

— A beautiful or superior person/thing in a miserable place.

彼女はこの会社にとって掃き溜めに鶴だ。

Literary

"塵も積もれば山となる"

— Dust piled up becomes a mountain (related to cleaning/persistence).

毎日掃かないと、塵も積もれば山となるよ。

Neutral

"一掃する"

— To get rid of something unwanted completely.

不安を一掃するために運動する。

Formal

"掃き出し"

— Venting or clearing out emotions.

不満を掃き出しにきた。

Informal

"掃いて捨てるほど"

— So many that they are worthless (lit. enough to sweep and throw).

そんな人材は掃いて捨てるほどいる。

Idiomatic

"門前を掃く"

— To mind one's own business or keep one's own house in order.

まずは自分の門前を掃きなさい。

Proverbial

"蜘蛛の子を散らすように"

— To scatter like baby spiders (opposite of sweeping together).

警察が来ると、彼らは蜘蛛の子を散らすように逃げた。

Idiomatic

"埃を叩く"

— To beat the dust out (related action).

布団の埃を叩く。

Neutral

"掃き寄せ"

— A collection of miscellaneous things.

それは掃き寄せの知識だ。

Rare

"一掃作戦"

— A cleanup operation (often military or police).

犯罪一掃作戦が始まった。

Journalistic

Easily Confused

掃く vs 掃除する

Both mean to clean.

Souji is general; haku is specifically sweeping.

部屋を掃除してから、床を掃いた。

掃く vs 払う

Both involve removing dust.

Harau is a light brushing/flicking; haku is a systematic sweeping of a surface.

肩の埃を払う vs 床を掃く。

掃く vs 磨く

Both are cleaning actions.

Migaku is scrubbing to make it shine; haku is moving loose dirt.

床を掃いてから、ワックスで磨く。

掃く vs 洗う

Both clean things.

Arau uses water/soap; haku is dry.

車を洗う vs ガレージを掃く。

掃く vs 片付ける

Both involve tidying.

Katadukeru is organizing items; haku is removing dust/dirt.

本を片付けてから、床を掃く。

Sentence Patterns

[Place] を掃きます。

部屋を掃きます。

[Tool] で掃きます。

ほうきで掃きます。

[Object] を掃き集める。

ごみを掃き集める。

[Place] は掃いてあります。

廊下は掃いてあります。

[Action] ついでに掃く。

料理のついでに床を掃く。

掃けば掃くほど〜。

掃けば掃くほど、埃が出てくる。

[Object] を掃き清める。

心を掃き清める。

[Object] を一掃する。

悪を一掃する。

Word Family

Nouns

掃除 (souji - cleaning)

清掃 (seisou - professional cleaning)

掃き出し (hakidashi - sweeping out)

箒 (houki - broom)

Verbs

掃き出す (hakidasu - sweep out)

掃き集める (hakiatsumeru - sweep together)

掃き清める (hakikiyomeru - purify)

Adjectives

掃き清められた (hakikiyomerareta - swept clean)

拭く (fuku)

磨く (migaku)

洗う (arau)

整える (totonoeru)

片付ける (katadukeru)

How to Use It

frequency

High in daily life and domestic contexts.

Common Mistakes

Houki o haku → Houki de haku
You sweep WITH a broom (de), not sweep the broom (o) itself.
Yuka o fuku (when using a broom) → Yuka o haku
Fuku means to wipe with a cloth. Use haku for a broom.
Soujiki de haku → Soujiki o kakeru
Vacuuming is 'kakeru', not 'haku'.
Hakite kudasai → Haite kudasai
The te-form of -ku verbs is -ite.
Using 履く kanji for sweeping → 掃く
履く is for wearing shoes. 掃く is for sweeping.

Tips

Verb Group

Haku is a Godan (Group 1) verb. Remember its te-form is 'haite', not 'hakite'.

Tool Association

Always pair 'haku' with 'houki' (broom). It helps solidify the meaning.

School Life

In Japan, 'haku' is a core part of 'Souji' time. Mentioning this makes your Japanese sound more culturally aware.

Kanji Parts

The left side is 'hand'. The right side is 'broom'. Hand + Broom = Sweep!

Haku vs. Fuku

Think of 'haku' as moving solids and 'fuku' as removing liquids or stains.

Compound Verbs

Learn 'haki-dasu' (sweep out) and 'haki-atsumeru' (sweep together) to sound more natural.

Real Estate Term

'Hakidashi-mado' is a very common term in Japanese housing. It's a great practical word to know.

Uselessness

The phrase 'haitesu-teru hodo' (enough to sweep and throw away) is a common way to say something is abundant but worthless.

Pitch Accent

Remember the pitch starts high (HA-ku). This distinguishes it from 'haku' (wear/flat).

Daily Routine

Try labeling your broom with '掃く' to remind yourself of the word every time you clean.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Haku sounds like 'hawk'. Imagine a hawk using its wings to sweep the floor.

Visual Association

Picture a traditional Japanese straw broom (houki) leaning against a wooden sliding door.

Word Web

Broom Floor Dust Garden Leaves Clean Shrine Morning

Challenge

Try to say 'Yuka o hakimasu' (I sweep the floor) three times fast while mimicking the sweeping motion.

Word Origin

The kanji 掃 is composed of the 'hand' radical (扌) on the left and 'broom' (帚) on the right.

Original meaning: To hold a broom with the hand and remove dirt.

Sino-Japanese (Kanji) with a native Japanese reading (Kun-yomi).

Cultural Context

Be mindful that in some contexts, asking someone to 'sweep' can sound like an order; use 'haite kudasai' or 'haite itadakemasu ka' for politeness.

In Western cultures, sweeping is often seen as a menial task. In Japan, it can be a meditative or spiritual practice.

Zen and the Art of Sweeping The character Haku from Spirited Away (same sound, different kanji) The 'Soji' time in Japanese schools featured in many anime.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Home Chores

床を掃く
玄関を掃く
ごみを掃き集める
ほうきを持ってくる

School Duty

教室を掃く
掃除の時間
ほうきで掃いて
隅っこも掃く

Gardening

落ち葉を掃く
庭をきれいに掃く
砂を掃き出す
外を掃く

Shrine/Temple Visit

境内を掃き清める
石畳を掃く
落ち葉を掃き集める
静かに掃く

Real Estate

掃き出し窓
部屋を掃く
きれいに掃かれた床
ベランダを掃く

Conversation Starters

"「毎朝、玄関を掃いていますか？」 (Do you sweep the entrance every morning?)"

"「ほうきと掃除機、どちらで掃くのが好きですか？」 (Do you prefer sweeping with a broom or a vacuum?)"

"「落ち葉を掃くのは大変ですよね。」 (Sweeping fallen leaves is hard work, isn't it?)"

"「この掃き出し窓、とても大きいですね。」 (This floor-to-ceiling window is very large, isn't it?)"

"「誰が今日の掃除で床を掃く担当ですか？」 (Who is in charge of sweeping the floor for today's cleaning?)"

Journal Prompts

今日は庭の落ち葉を掃きました。疲れましたが、きれいになって気持ちがいいです。(Today I swept the leaves in the garden. I'm tired, but it feels good to have it clean.)

子供の頃、学校で毎日床を掃いたことを思い出しました。(I remembered how I used to sweep the floor every day at school when I was a kid.)

新しいほうきを買いました。とてもよく掃けるので、掃除が楽しくなりました。(I bought a new broom. It sweeps so well that cleaning has become fun.)

掃き出し窓を磨きながら、外の景色を眺めました。(While polishing the floor-to-ceiling window, I looked at the scenery outside.)

心の中のモヤモヤを掃き出すように、部屋を掃除しました。(I cleaned my room as if to sweep out the fog in my mind.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for a vacuum cleaner, you say 'soujiki o kakeru'. 'Haku' is specifically for brooms or brushes.

'Haku' is sweeping (dry, with a broom). 'Fuku' is wiping (often wet, with a cloth/rag).

Yes, it takes the particle 'o' for the object being swept (e.g., yuka o haku).

You can use 'haki-atsumeru' (sweep and gather) or 'haki-dasu' (sweep out).

No, for hair you use 'tokasu' or 'burashi o kakeru'. 'Haku' is for surfaces like floors.

You can use the polite 'hakimasu' or the Sino-Japanese 'seisou' (cleaning) in formal contexts.

It's an idiom meaning a 'crane in a rubbish heap'—a beautiful or talented person in a bad environment.

It is 'haite'. It follows the pattern for -ku verbs (ku -> ite).

Usually, you use 'yuki-kaki' (shoveling) or 'yuki o nokeru'. However, if the snow is very light and you use a broom, you could say 'yuki o haku'.

It is a large window that goes down to the floor, allowing you to sweep dust directly out onto a balcony or garden.