Translation guide
The English word 'brush' can refer to a tool with bristles, the act of using it, a light touch, or a brief encounter. This guide covers the most common Japanese equivalents for these meanings.
A handheld implement with bristles, hair, or wire used for grooming hair, applying paint, cleaning, etc.
The most common word for a brush, especially for hair, clothes, shoes, or cleaning. A loanword from English.
ヘアブラシを忘れました。
I forgot my hairbrush.
このブラシで靴を磨いてください。
Please polish the shoes with this brush.
A flat brush used for painting, applying glue, or in cooking. Often wider than a 筆.
A brush for calligraphy, painting, or makeup. Typically has a pointed tip.
筆で字を書く。
Write characters with a brush.
A scrubbing brush, often made of stiff fibers, used for cleaning pots, vegetables, or surfaces.
たわしで鍋を洗う。
Scrub the pot with a scrubbing brush.
The action of grooming, painting, or cleaning with a brush.
To brush something, especially hair or fabric. Literally 'apply a brush'.
髪にブラシをかける。
Brush one's hair.
To polish or brush (e.g., teeth, shoes). Often used for cleaning actions.
歯を磨く。
Brush one's teeth.
To comb or brush hair, especially to untangle it. Often written as 解く.
髪をとく。
Brush/comb one's hair.
A quick, light touch or grazing contact.
To touch lightly; to brush against. A natural way to express a fleeting touch.
彼の手が私の肩に軽く触れた。
His hand brushed against my shoulder.
To graze, brush against, or touch lightly in passing. Often implies a slight contact.
車が塀をかすった。
The car brushed against the fence.
A short, often superficial experience or contact with something, like a brush with fame or danger.
To come into contact with; can be used for a brush with something, though slightly formal.
彼は危険と接触した。
He had a brush with danger.
To encounter, often unexpectedly. Suitable for a brush with something notable.
彼女は有名人に遭遇した。
She had a brush with a celebrity.
ブラシ is a general-purpose brush, often with a handle and bristles (hairbrush, scrub brush). 筆 (fude) is a pointed brush for calligraphy, painting, or makeup. 刷毛 (hake) is a flat, wide brush for painting walls, applying glue, or cooking.
絵を描くときは筆を使います。
When painting a picture, I use a brush (fude).
壁にペンキを塗るなら刷毛がいい。
For painting a wall, a brush (hake) is good.
While ブラシ can mean 'brush', you do not say 歯ブラシをかける for 'brush teeth'. Use 歯を磨く (はをみがく). 歯ブラシ is the toothbrush itself.
✕ 歯にブラシをかける
(incorrect for brushing teeth)
○ 歯を磨く
Brush teeth
I apply paint with a brush.
アイシャドウブラシより筆の方が使いやすい。
A brush (fude) is easier to use than an eyeshadow brush.