Translation guide
A soft, porous object used for cleaning, absorbing liquid, or bathing. In Japanese, the word スポンジ (suponji) is the most common equivalent, but specific types like 海綿 (kaimen) for natural sea sponges or たわし (tawashi) for scrubbing brushes may be used depending on context.
A soft, absorbent pad used for washing dishes, surfaces, or general cleaning.
The most common and general word for a cleaning sponge. Used for dishwashing, wiping, etc.
新しいスポンジを出して。
Take out a new sponge.
スポンジでテーブルを拭いた。
I wiped the table with a sponge.
Specifically a kitchen sponge. More precise when context requires it.
台所用スポンジは消耗品です。
Kitchen sponges are consumables.
A soft, porous item used for washing the body in the bath or shower.
A body sponge, often a soft mesh or foam puff used with soap.
ボディスポンジで体を洗う。
I wash my body with a body sponge.
Often refers to a washcloth or towel, but in bathing context, a 'body towel' (ボディタオル) is a long, rough cloth used like a sponge for scrubbing. Very common in Japan.
ボディタオルで背中を洗ってください。
Please wash my back with the body towel.
A natural loofah sponge, made from dried gourd. Traditional and eco-friendly.
A soft, porous marine animal used as a sponge for bathing or cleaning.
The biological term for sea sponge. Also used for natural sponges sold for bathing.
海綿は動物です。
Sponges are animals.
天然の海綿を使っています。
I use a natural sea sponge.
Natural sponge, often used to distinguish from synthetic sponges.
この天然スポンジはとても柔らかい。
This natural sponge is very soft.
A light, airy cake used as a base for desserts.
The standard term for sponge cake in Japanese baking.
スポンジケーキを焼きました。
I baked a sponge cake.
Short for sponge cake, used in compound words like スポンジ生地 (sponge dough).
スポンジがふわふわだ。
The sponge is fluffy.
To absorb liquid like a sponge, or to soak up information/money.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'to absorb like a sponge', used for both liquids and abstract things like knowledge.
子供はスポンジのように言葉を吸収する。
Children absorb language like a sponge.
To absorb or soak up liquid, often used for sponges or cloths.
スポンジで水を吸い取った。
I soaked up the water with a sponge.
To clean or wipe something with a sponge.
To wipe with a sponge. The most natural way to express the action.
テーブルをスポンジで拭いて。
Wipe the table with a sponge.
To wash with a sponge, typically for dishes.
お皿をスポンジで洗った。
I washed the dishes with a sponge.
In Japanese, たわし (tawashi) refers to a hard scrubbing brush, often made of natural fibers or plastic, used for cleaning tough stains. It is not a sponge. If you want a soft sponge, always use スポンジ.
In English, 'sponge' can mean the cake by itself, but in Japanese, スポンジ alone usually means the cleaning tool. To refer to the cake, say スポンジケーキ or スポンジ生地 (sponge dough).
It feels good to scrub my body with a loofah.