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.
I forgot my hairbrush.
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.
A scrubbing brush, often made of stiff fibers, used for cleaning pots, vegetables, or surfaces.
The action of grooming, painting, or cleaning with a brush.
To brush something, especially hair or fabric. Literally 'apply a brush'.
Brush one's hair.
A quick, light touch or grazing contact.
To touch lightly; to brush against. A natural way to express a fleeting touch.
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.
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.
When painting a picture, I use a brush (fude).
Please polish the shoes with this brush.
I apply paint with a brush.
Write characters with a brush.
A brush (fude) is easier to use than an eyeshadow brush.
Scrub the pot with a scrubbing brush.
To polish or brush (e.g., teeth, shoes). Often used for cleaning actions.
Brush one's teeth.
To comb or brush hair, especially to untangle it. Often written as 解く.
Brush/comb one's hair.
His hand brushed against my shoulder.
To graze, brush against, or touch lightly in passing. Often implies a slight contact.
The car brushed against the fence.
He had a brush with danger.
To encounter, often unexpectedly. Suitable for a brush with something notable.
She had a brush with a celebrity.
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.
(incorrect for brushing teeth)
Brush teeth