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.
to brush hair
to brush teeth
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.
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'.
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.
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.
刷毛でペンキを塗ります。
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.
Brush one's hair.
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.
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)