掃く

• Reading: はく
• Romaji: haku
• Kanji breakdown: 掃 (sou/ha) — to sweep, to brush
• Pronunciation: /ha.kɯ/

Meaning

To sweep; to brush clean. Used for sweeping floors with a broom.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the く ending (掃いて, 掃いた, 掃きます). Primarily used with ほうき (broom) for sweeping floors, paths, and outdoor areas. Related to 掃除 (souji — cleaning). A homophone of 履く (to wear on legs/feet), distinguished by kanji.

Examples

1. 玄関をほうきで掃きました。 I swept the entrance with a broom.
2. 落ち葉を掃いてください。 Please sweep up the fallen leaves.
3. 毎朝店の前を掃いています。 I sweep the front of the store every morning.

Usage Guide

Context: housework, cleaning, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 掃 combines 扌 (hand radical) and 帚 (broom), literally depicting the act of sweeping with a broom held in hand. A straightforward pictographic origin.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal