Translation guide
The English phrase 'clearing away' refers to removing objects, obstacles, or unwanted items from a space, often to tidy up. In Japanese, the most natural expression depends on what is being cleared and the context. Common verbs include 片付ける (to tidy up/put away), 取り除く (to remove/eliminate), and どける (to move something out of the way).
To clear away clutter, dishes, toys, etc., by putting them in their proper place.
The most common verb for tidying up or putting things away. It implies organizing and returning items to where they belong.
おもちゃを片付けなさい。
Clear away your toys.
食器を片付けてください。
Please clear away the dishes.
Means to put something away into storage or its designated place. Often used for putting things back after use.
本を棚にしまって。
Clear away the books onto the shelf.
To clear away something that is in the way, such as snow, debris, or an obstruction.
Means to remove or eliminate something unwanted. Suitable for physical objects, obstacles, or abstract things like doubts.
雪を取り除いてください。
Please clear away the snow.
障害物を取り除く必要がある。
We need to clear away the obstacles.
Casual verb meaning to move something out of the way. Often used in spoken Japanese.
その椅子をどけて。
Clear away that chair.
Formal term for removal or dismantling, often used for structures, equipment, or official removal operations.
不法投棄されたゴミを撤去した。
They cleared away illegally dumped garbage.
Specifically removing dishes, leftovers, and utensils from the dining table.
Polite phrase used when clearing dishes from the table, often in a restaurant or formal setting.
お皿を下げてもよろしいですか？
May I clear away your plates?
Also used for clearing the table, but more general. Can imply washing dishes as well.
夕食の後、テーブルを片付けた。
After dinner, I cleared away the table.
Metaphorical use: to dispel or remove mental obstacles.
Literally 'to clear away doubts'. 晴らす means to dispel or clear up something like doubts, suspicions, or gloom.
彼の説明で疑いが晴れた。
His explanation cleared away my doubts.
To remove anxiety or unease. 取り除く works for abstract obstacles as well.
その言葉で不安が取り除かれた。
Those words cleared away my anxiety.
片付ける focuses on tidying up a space or putting things in order, while しまう emphasizes putting a specific item back into its designated storage. You can 片付ける a room, but you しまう a book into a shelf.
Directly translating 'clear away' as クリアする or きれいにする is often unnatural. Use context-appropriate verbs like 片付ける or 取り除く.