Translation guide
The English phrase 'wipe off' refers to removing something from a surface by rubbing, often with a cloth or hand. In Japanese, the expression depends on what is being removed (dust, dirt, liquid, marks) and the method (wiping, brushing, dusting). The most common verbs are 拭く (fuku) for general wiping, and 拭き取る (fukitoru) for wiping something off completely. For dusting or brushing off, 払う (harau) or 払い落とす (haraiotosu) are used.
Express the action of wiping a surface to clean it, such as a table, window, or floor.
The most common verb for wiping a surface with a cloth, towel, or tissue. It can be used for tables, windows, floors, etc. The object is marked with を.
テーブルを拭いてください。
Please wipe the table.
窓を拭いた。
I wiped the window.
Emphasizes wiping something off completely, often removing liquid or dirt. It implies a more thorough action than just 拭く.
こぼした水を拭き取って。
Wipe up the spilled water.
Express removing something unwanted from a surface by wiping, such as dust from a shelf or a mark from a whiteboard.
Used when the focus is on removing something specific (dirt, stain, mark) by wiping. The thing removed is marked with を.
汚れを拭き取る。
Wipe off the dirt.
ホワイトボードの字を拭き取った。
I wiped off the writing on the whiteboard.
Can also be used for removing marks or dirt, but 拭き取る is more explicit about complete removal.
メガネを拭く。
Wipe my glasses.
Express removing dust, sand, or crumbs by brushing or shaking, not necessarily with a wet cloth.
Means to brush or dust off. Used for removing dry particles like dust, sand, or crumbs from surfaces or clothing. The thing removed is marked with を.
服のほこりを払った。
I brushed the dust off my clothes.
机の上のパンくずを手で払った。
I brushed the bread crumbs off the desk with my hand.
Emphasizes brushing something off so that it falls. Stronger than 払う.
Express removing liquid from a surface or skin by wiping.
Express erasing a board by wiping.
The standard verb for erasing a board. It means 'to erase' and is used with 黒板 (blackboard) or ホワイトボード (whiteboard).
黒板を消してください。
Please erase the blackboard.
ホワイトボードの字を消した。
I erased the writing on the whiteboard.
Can be used for physically wiping a board, but 消す is more common for erasing content.
黒板を拭く。
Wipe the blackboard.
拭く (fuku) is general wiping. 拭き取る (fukitoru) emphasizes complete removal, often of liquid or dirt. 払う (harau) is for brushing off dry particles like dust or sand. Use 拭く for everyday cleaning, 拭き取る for spills or stains, and 払う for dusting.
テーブルを拭く (general wipe), 汚れを拭き取る (wipe off dirt), ほこりを払う (dust off).
Wipe the table, wipe off the dirt, dust off.
For erasing pencil marks with an eraser, use 消す (kesu) or 消しゴムで消す (keshigomu de kesu). 拭く is for wiping with a cloth, not for erasing with an eraser.
肩のふけを払い落とした。
I brushed the dandruff off my shoulder.
I wiped up the milk I spilled on the floor.