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A2 verb 8 min read

消します

keshimasu
Examples 消します in 30 Seconds
Explanation 消します in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic physical actions. 'Keshimasu' is taught alongside 'tsukemasu' (to turn on) as part of daily routines. Students learn to use it with 'denki' (light) and 'terebi' (TV). The focus is on the present polite form 'keshimasu' and the past polite 'keshimashita' to describe chores or simple actions around the house. At this stage, the nuances of fire or digital deletion are usually secondary to simply learning how to turn off a light when leaving a room. It is one of the first 50 verbs a student typically learns.
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At the A2 level, learners expand the range of objects used with 'keshimasu.' This includes classroom vocabulary like 'kokuban' (blackboard) and 'moji' (characters/letters). Students also learn the 'te-form' (keshite) to make requests, such as 'Denki o keshite kudasai' (Please turn off the light). The distinction between 'kesu' and 'tomeru' (to stop) starts to become important here, as students learn to talk about more complex household appliances like air conditioners and heaters. They also begin to recognize the kanji 消.
By the B1 level, students should be comfortable with the potential form 'kesemasu' (can erase/turn off) and the passive form 'kesaremasu' (is erased/turned off). They start to encounter 'kesu' in more abstract or compound forms. They also learn to distinguish 'kesu' from more formal synonyms like 'shoukyo suru' (to delete) in reading passages. The use of 'kesu' in the context of fire safety and emergency procedures becomes a topic of study. Learners also understand the transitive/intransitive pair 'kesu' and 'kieru' well.
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At the B2 level, learners use 'kesu' in idiomatic and metaphorical expressions. They might encounter it in literature or news reports describing the 'erasing' of evidence or the 'extinguishing' of hope. The focus shifts toward nuances of register—knowing when to use the humble or honorific versions of the verb in a business setting. They also understand the technical differences between 'kesu,' 'kiru,' and 'sakujo suru' in professional IT or engineering contexts. Their kanji knowledge includes various compounds like 消火 (shouka - fire extinguishing).
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At the C1 level, 'kesu' is used in highly nuanced ways. This includes literary contexts where 'kesu' might describe the fading of a scent or the silencing of a voice. The learner is expected to understand the historical etymology of the kanji and its relationship to other characters. They can use 'kesu' in complex grammatical structures like 'kesu ni kisenai' (cannot erase even if one wants to). They also master the use of 'kesu' in professional settings, such as 'keshikomu' (to cross out/cancel an entry in a ledger).
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At the C2 level, the learner has a native-like grasp of 'kesu.' They can appreciate the word's use in classical Japanese or archaic poetry where the meanings might be slightly shifted. They can discuss the philosophical implications of 'disappearance' (shoumetsu) using the root 'kesu/shou.' They are also adept at using 'kesu' in high-stakes legal or scientific discourse where the 'elimination' of variables or evidence must be described with absolute precision. The word is no longer just a verb for turning off lights, but a conceptual tool for describing the end of existence or presence.
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Examples

消します in 30 Seconds

  • Used for turning off electronics like lights, TVs, and air conditioners.
  • Used for physical erasing of writing or marks with an eraser.
  • Used for extinguishing fire, such as stoves, cigarettes, or candles.
  • A transitive verb that requires the object particle 'o' (を).

The Japanese verb 消します (keshimasu) is a fundamental transitive verb that every beginner and intermediate learner must master. In its most basic sense, it refers to the act of making something that was present or active disappear or stop. This covers a wide range of daily activities, from household chores to digital interactions. For English speakers, it is important to realize that 'keshimasu' often translates to several different English verbs depending on the object it acts upon. Whether you are turning off a light, erasing a mistake on paper, or extinguishing a campfire, 'keshimasu' is the go-to word.

Electronics and Utilities
When you use 'keshimasu' with electrical devices like televisions, lights, or air conditioners, it means 'to turn off' or 'to switch off.' This is the transitive counterpart to 'tsukemasu' (to turn on). For example, before leaving a room, a Japanese person might say 'Denki o keshimasu' (I will turn off the light).

寝る前にテレビを消します。 (I turn off the TV before I sleep.)

Writing and Erasing
In an educational or office setting, 'keshimasu' refers to the act of erasing. This applies to pencil marks on paper using an eraser (keshigomu) or wiping a whiteboard clean. It implies the removal of information or physical marks.
Fire and Heat
When dealing with fire, 'keshimasu' means to extinguish or put out. This is critical for safety conversations, such as making sure the stove is off or putting out a cigarette. 'Hi o keshimasu' means 'to put out the fire.'

タバコの火を消します。 (I will put out the cigarette fire.)

Beyond these physical actions, 'keshimasu' can also be used metaphorically or in digital contexts. In the modern era, deleting a file or a message on a smartphone is often expressed using 'keshimasu' or its more technical synonym 'shoukyo suru.' However, in casual conversation, 'kesu' is very common for 'deleting' a photo or a text. It represents the total removal of presence, whether that presence is light, heat, ink, or digital data.

間違えたので、文字を消します。 (I made a mistake, so I will erase the character.)

ガスを消しましたか。 (Did you turn off the gas?)

黒板を消します。 (I will erase the blackboard.)

Grammatically, 消します (keshimasu) is the polite non-past form of the verb 'kesu.' It is a Group 1 (u-verb / godan) verb. Because it is a transitive verb, it almost always requires a direct object followed by the particle を (o). The basic structure is: [Object] を 消します. Understanding this relationship between the actor and the object is key to using the word correctly.

Direct Objects
Common objects include 'denki' (electricity/light), 'terebi' (TV), 'hi' (fire), 'eakon' (air conditioner), and 'moji' (letters/characters). When you want to express that you are the one performing the action of turning something off or erasing it, 'keshimasu' is the appropriate form to use in polite company.

部屋を出るとき、電気を消します。 (When I leave the room, I turn off the light.)

Past Tense Usage
To say you have already turned something off or erased it, change the verb to 'keshimashita' (消しました). This is frequently used to confirm safety or completion of a task. 'Keshimashita ka?' (Did you turn it off?) is a common question from parents or supervisors.
Requesting Action
When asking someone else to turn something off, you would use the 'te-form' plus 'kudasai': 'keshite kudasai' (消してください). This is common in classrooms (asking to erase the board) or at home (asking to turn off the radio).

ラジオの音を消してください。 (Please turn off the sound of the radio / Mute the radio.)

Furthermore, 'keshimasu' can be used in the negative form 'keshimasen' (won't turn off/erase) or the potential form 'kesemasu' (can erase). For example, if you have a permanent marker, you might say 'kesemasen' (I cannot erase it). This versatility makes it an essential verb for navigating physical environments in Japan.

このマジックは消せません。 (This marker cannot be erased.)

履歴を消します。 (I will delete the history.)

You will encounter 消します (keshimasu) in a variety of real-world scenarios in Japan. It is not just a textbook word; it is deeply embedded in the daily routines and social etiquette of Japanese life. From public announcements to domestic instructions, the word is everywhere.

In the Household
Japanese homes often have multiple switches for gas, electricity, and water heaters. Parents will frequently tell their children 'Denki o keshite!' (Turn off the light!) or ask 'Gasu keshita?' (Did you turn off the gas?). Confirming that everything is 'keshita' (turned off/extinguished) is a nightly ritual for many families to ensure safety and save energy.

寝る前に、ストーブを消します。 (I turn off the heater before going to bed.)

In Schools and Offices
In a Japanese classroom, the person on 'nittou' (daily duty) is responsible for erasing the blackboard. The teacher might say, 'Kokuban o keshite kudasai' (Please erase the blackboard). Similarly, in an office, the last person to leave is expected to 'kesu' the lights and the copier. It is a sign of being a responsible member of the group (shudan ishiki).
Public Safety Announcements
During fire prevention weeks, fire trucks might drive through neighborhoods with loudspeakers playing a recording that says 'Hi no moto o tashikame, kanarazu keshimashou' (Check the source of fire and be sure to put it out). This reinforces the connection between 'kesu' and fire safety.

タバコの火をしっかり消してください。 (Please make sure to put out your cigarette fire properly.)

In the digital realm, if you are using a Japanese interface on your phone or computer, the 'Delete' button for photos or emails might be labeled 'Sakujo' (削除), but the act of doing it is still often described as 'kesu' in speech. 'Kono shashin, keshite mo ii?' (Is it okay if I delete this photo?) is a very common phrase among friends.

いらないメールを消します。 (I will delete unnecessary emails.)

While 消します (keshimasu) seems straightforward, English speakers often encounter a few pitfalls due to the way English verbs like 'turn off,' 'stop,' and 'close' overlap or differ in Japanese.

Mistake 1: Keshimasu vs. Shimeimasu
Learners sometimes confuse 'keshimasu' (turn off) with 'shimemasu' (to close). If you want to say 'turn off the water tap,' you should use 'shimemasu' (蛇口を閉めます) because you are closing a valve, not extinguishing a light or fire. Using 'keshimasu' for a water tap sounds strange to native ears.
Mistake 2: Keshimasu vs. Tomemasu
Another common confusion is with 'tomemasu' (to stop). While you 'kesu' a TV or a light, you 'tomu' (stop) a car or a clock. For a recording or music, both can sometimes be used, but 'kesu' implies turning the power off, while 'tomeru' implies pausing or stopping the playback.
Mistake 3: Transitive vs. Intransitive
Confusing 'kesu' (transitive: someone turns it off) with 'kieru' (intransitive: it goes out by itself). If you say 'Denki ga keshimashita,' it sounds like 'The light turned [something else] off,' which is nonsensical. You must use the object particle 'o' with 'keshimasu': 'Denki o keshimashita' (I turned off the light).

❌ 蛇口を消します。
✅ 蛇口を閉めます。 (Turn off/Close the tap.)

Finally, when talking about 'erasing' a memory or a feeling, Japanese usually uses more poetic or specific verbs like 'wasureru' (to forget) or 'nuguu' (to wipe away). While 'kioku o kesu' (to erase a memory) is used in sci-fi contexts, it's not common in everyday emotional talk. Stick to physical objects or digital data for 'keshimasu' until you reach an advanced level.

❌ 電気が消しました。
✅ 電気を消しました。 (I turned off the light.)

Japanese has several words that overlap with 消します (keshimasu). Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific nature of what is being removed or stopped.

消去する (Shoukyo suru)
This is a more formal, technical term for 'to delete' or 'to eliminate.' You will see this on computer menus or in legal/technical documents. While 'kesu' is 'to erase' a mistake with an eraser, 'shoukyo suru' is to 'wipe' data from a hard drive. It sounds more clinical and permanent.
切る (Kiru)
Literally 'to cut,' this is often used for 'turning off' power or 'hanging up' a phone. 'Denwa o kiru' means 'to hang up the phone.' You can also say 'suitchi o kiru' (to cut the switch/turn off). It implies a sudden disconnection.
止める (Tomeru)
As mentioned before, 'tomeru' means 'to stop.' Use this for water, machines in motion, or music. If you 'kesu' the music, you are turning off the stereo. If you 'tomeru' the music, you are just stopping the song.
抹消する (Masshou suru)
This is a very high-level academic or legal term meaning 'to strike out' or 'to obliterate.' It is used for removing names from a register or canceling a registration. It is much more intense than 'kesu.'

データを消去しました。 (I deleted the data - Formal/Digital.)

電源を切ります。 (I will cut the power/Turn it off.)

In summary, while 'keshimasu' is the most versatile and common word for 'turning off' or 'erasing,' understanding these alternatives helps you sound more precise and natural in specific contexts like business, IT, or emergency situations.

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Examples by Level

1

電気を消します。

I turn off the light.

Direct object 'denki' + 'o' particle.

2

テレビを消しました。

I turned off the TV.

Past tense 'mashita'.

3

電気を消してください。

Please turn off the light.

Request form 'te kudasai'.

4

ラジオを消します。

I will turn off the radio.

Polite non-past form.

5

火を消します。

I will put out the fire.

Used for fire/flames.

6

電気を消しましょう。

Let's turn off the light.

Volitional form 'mashou'.

7

エアコンを消しましたか。

Did you turn off the air conditioner?

Question form with 'ka'.

8

名前を消します。

I erase the name.

Used for erasing writing.

1

黒板を消します。

I will erase the blackboard.

Classroom context.

2

間違いを消しゴムで消します。

I erase the mistake with an eraser.

Instrumental particle 'de'.

3

部屋を出る時、電気を消してください。

When you leave the room, please turn off the light.

Temporal clause 'toki'.

4

ストーブを消すのを忘れました。

I forgot to turn off the heater.

Nominalizer 'no' + 'wasuremashita'.

5

このマジックは消せません。

This marker cannot be erased.

Potential negative 'kesenai'.

6

履歴を消してもいいですか。

Is it okay if I delete the history?

Permission form 'te mo ii desu ka'.

7

火を消してから寝ます。

I sleep after putting out the fire.

Sequence 'te kara'.

8

音を消してください。

Please turn off the sound (mute).

Object 'oto' (sound).

1

証拠を消すために、ファイルを削除しました。

In order to erase the evidence, I deleted the file.

Purpose 'tame ni'.

2

彼は怒りを消すことができませんでした。

He could not suppress (erase) his anger.

Abstract usage for emotions.

3

書き間違えたところを丁寧に消しました。

I carefully erased the parts I miswrote.

Adverbial 'teinei ni'.

4

タバコの火を消すのを忘れないでください。

Please don't forget to put out your cigarette.

Negative request 'naide kudasai'.

5

データを消さないように注意してください。

Please be careful not to delete the data.

'nai you ni' (so as not to).

6

明かりを消すと、星がよく見えます。

When you turn off the lights, you can see the stars well.

Conditional 'to'.

7

このアプリで写真の背景を消せます。

You can erase the photo's background with this app.

Potential form 'keseru'.

8

彼は自分の存在を消そうとしました。

He tried to erase his own existence.

Volitional + 'to suru' (try to).

1

犯人は指紋を消して逃げました。

The criminal erased the fingerprints and fled.

Compound sentence with 'te' form.

2

不安を消し去ることは容易ではありません。

It is not easy to wipe away (erase) one's anxiety.

Compound verb 'keshisaru'.

3

名簿から彼の名前を消しました。

I removed (erased) his name from the register.

Source particle 'kara'.

4

強い光が影を消してしまいました。

The strong light completely erased the shadows.

'te shimau' (completed/unintentional).

5

過去の過ちを消すことはできません。

You cannot erase the mistakes of the past.

Abstract concept 'ayamachi'.

6

彼は足音を消して部屋に入った。

He entered the room, silencing his footsteps.

Manner of action.

7

この洗剤はしつこい汚れを消してくれます。

This detergent will remove (erase) stubborn stains for me.

Benefactive 'te kureru'.

8

キャンプファイヤーの火を完全に消してください。

Please extinguish the campfire completely.

Adverb 'kanzen ni'.

1

そのスキャンダルは、権力によって消された。

That scandal was erased (suppressed) by those in power.

Passive form 'kesareta'.

2

都会の喧騒が彼の声を消し去った。

The hustle and bustle of the city drowned out (erased) his voice.

Literary personification.

3

彼は自らの足跡を消しながら森を進んだ。

He moved through the forest while erasing his own tracks.

Simultaneous action 'nagara'.

4

この修正液は、インクをきれいに消してくれます。

This correction fluid erases the ink cleanly.

Specific tool 'shuseieki'.

5

歴史からその事実を消すことは許されない。

Erasing that fact from history is not permitted.

Formal negative 'yurusarenai'.

6

彼は気配を消して獲物に近づいた。

He suppressed his presence and approached the prey.

Idiomatic 'kehai o kesu'.

7

照明を消すと、劇場の雰囲気は一変した。

When the lights were turned off, the atmosphere of the theater changed completely.

Conditional 'to' indicating result.

8

煩悩を消すために修行に励む。

I devote myself to ascetic practices to erase worldly desires.

Religious/Philosophical context.

1

宇宙の膨張は、遠くの銀河の姿をいつか消し去るだろう。

The expansion of the universe will likely erase the sight of distant galaxies someday.

Scientific conjecture.

2

独裁者は反対派の存在を社会から抹消しようとした。

The dictator tried to obliterate (erase) the existence of the opposition from society.

Formal 'masshou' vs 'kesu'.

3

時の流れは、人々の記憶からその悲劇を消し去ることはなかった。

The flow of time did not erase that tragedy from people's memories.

Poetic/Literary structure.

4

彼は自責の念を消すべく、ボランティア活動に没頭した。

In order to erase his sense of guilt, he immersed himself in volunteer work.

Formal 'beku' (for the purpose of).

5

デジタルタトゥーは、一度ネットに出ると消すのは不可能に近い。

Once something is on the internet, erasing a 'digital tattoo' is nearly impossible.

Modern social issue context.

6

その香水は、タバコの臭いを消すどころか、さらに悪化させた。

Far from erasing the smell of cigarettes, that perfume made it worse.

'dokoro ka' (far from).

7

彼は冷徹に、自分に繋がる全ての連絡先を消した。

He ruthlessly erased all contacts leading back to him.

Adverb 'reitetsu ni'.

8

夕闇が辺りの色彩を次第に消していった。

The dusk gradually erased the colors of the surroundings.

'te iku' (progressive change away).

Common Collocations

電気を消す
テレビを消す
火を消す
文字を消す
履歴を消す
音を消す
黒板を消す
エアコンを消す
姿を消す
存在を消す

Common Phrases

消しゴム

— An eraser. Literally 'erasing rubber'.

消しゴムを貸してください。

火の用心

— Beware of fire. Often followed by reminders to 'kesu' the fire.

火の用心、マッチ一本火事の元。

消火器

— Fire extinguisher. Uses the 'shou' reading of 消.

消火器の場所を確認します。

取り消す

— To cancel or withdraw (a statement or order).

予約を取り消します。

消し忘れる

— To forget to turn off/erase something.

電気を消し忘れました。

消し去る

— To wipe out completely; to get rid of.

不安を消し去りたい。

書き消す

— To erase what was written.

書いたばかりのメモを書き消す。

揉み消す

— To suppress or cover up (a story).

不祥事を揉み消す。

打ち消す

— To deny or negate.

否定的な考えを打ち消す。

消え入る

— To fade away (especially a voice).

消え入るような声で話す。

Idioms & Expressions

"姿を消す"

— To disappear from sight; to vanish.

犯人は忽然と姿を消した。

Neutral
"気配を消す"

— To suppress one's presence; to be stealthy.

忍者は気配を消して近づいた。

Neutral
"足跡を消す"

— To cover one's tracks.

証拠を残さないよう足跡を消す。

Neutral
"火を消す"

— To settle a dispute or 'put out a fire' in a project.

トラブルの火を消すのに奔走した。

Business
"名前を消す"

— To remove someone from a group or list permanently.

彼は名簿から名前を消された。

Neutral
"影を消す"

— To hide or stay out of the spotlight.

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