Translation guide
The English word "flush" has several distinct meanings, from a red face to a sudden rush of water. This guide organizes the most common uses for learners.
Describing a face that becomes red due to embarrassment, anger, or heat.
Literally 'red face', this is the most direct and common way to say someone's face flushes, especially from embarrassment or shyness.
彼は恥ずかしくて赤面した。
He flushed with embarrassment.
A more casual, descriptive phrase meaning 'face becomes red'. Used for any kind of flushing, including from alcohol or heat.
お酒を飲むとすぐ顔が赤くなる。
My face flushes easily when I drink alcohol.
A more literary or formal term for flushing, often used in written descriptions. Implies a rosy or glowing redness.
彼女の頬は紅潮していた。
Her cheeks were flushed.
The action of flushing a toilet.
The standard way to say 'flush the toilet'. Literally 'let the toilet flow'.
トイレを流すのを忘れないで。
Don't forget to flush the toilet.
A more technical term meaning 'flush with water', used for toilets or other flushing systems.
このトイレは自動で水洗します。
This toilet flushes automatically.
A general verb meaning 'to flush' or 'to let flow'. Can be used for toilets, but also for other things like water down a drain. Often used with an object like トイレ (toilet) or 水 (water).
A sudden, forceful flow of water or other liquid, often to clean or clear something.
Literally 'flush with water', used for rinsing or washing away something with a stream of water.
目にゴミが入ったので、水で流した。
I got something in my eye, so I flushed it with water.
Means 'to wash away' or 'flush out', often used for cleaning wounds or surfaces.
傷口を水で洗い流してください。
Please flush the wound with water.
In card games, a hand where all cards are of the same suit.
The loanword from English, used in poker and other card games.
彼はフラッシュで勝った。
He won with a flush.
To make something level or even with a surface, such as in typography or construction.
A technical term meaning 'to make flush' or 'to make level with the surface'. Used in construction, design, and manufacturing.
このパネルを壁と面一にしてください。
Please make this panel flush with the wall.
A more general verb meaning 'to align' or 'to make even'. Can be used for text alignment (e.g., left-aligned) or making edges flush.
テキストを左に揃えてください。
Please make the text flush left.
To cleanse a pipe, system, or container by passing liquid through it.
A general term for 'flushing' or 'cleansing' a system, such as a radiator or a pipe.
エンジンの冷却系統を洗浄する必要がある。
We need to flush the engine's cooling system.
Literally 'pour and flush', used when you pour liquid into something to flush it out.
パイプに水を流し込んで詰まりを取った。
I flushed the pipe with water to clear the clog.
While both can mean a red face, 'blush' is almost always from embarrassment, while 'flush' can be from many causes. In Japanese, 赤面する covers both, but 顔が赤くなる is more general.
Please flush the water.