Translation guide
The English verb 'rub' covers a range of actions involving friction, from gentle stroking to vigorous scrubbing. Japanese uses different verbs depending on the body part, object, intensity, and purpose.
To move one's hand or fingers back and forth against a part of the body, often for comfort, warmth, or relief.
General verb for rubbing a surface, including body parts. Can be used for rubbing eyes, rubbing hands together, etc.
Rub one's eyes.
I rubbed my hands together because it was cold.
To stroke or rub gently, often affectionately. Used for petting animals or soothing someone.
To rub or massage with pressure, like rubbing shoulders or a stiff muscle.
To move something back and forth against a surface, often with a cloth, to clean, shine, or spread a substance.
To wipe or rub with a cloth to clean or dry. Very common for tables, windows, etc.
When two surfaces move against each other, causing friction or irritation.
Intransitive verb meaning to be rubbed, chafe, or get frayed. Often used for skin or fabric.
To apply a substance by rubbing it into the skin until absorbed.
Compound verb meaning to rub in or massage into the skin.
To remove marks by rubbing, typically with an eraser.
General verb for erasing. When used with an eraser, it implies rubbing out.
To keep reminding someone of a failure or embarrassing fact.
Idiom meaning to add insult to injury or rub it in.
While 擦る (こする) means 'rub', it often implies friction or scrubbing. For everyday wiping (tables, spills), use 拭く (ふく). Using 擦る for wiping a table sounds like you are scrubbing hard.
擦る (こする) is a general rub, often back-and-forth. 撫でる (なでる) is a gentle, one-direction stroke, usually affectionate. You 撫でる a cat, but you 擦る your eyes.
He rubbed his tired eyes.
Stroke a cat's back.
Rub someone's shoulders.
テーブルを拭く。
Wipe the table.
Please wipe the windows.
To polish or scrub to make shiny, like shoes, teeth, or floors.
To rub or scrub, often with more force or friction. Can be used for scrubbing stains.
Rub off the dirt.
To apply or spread something like cream, paint, or ointment by rubbing.
Apply sunscreen (by rubbing it on).
My shoes are rubbing and it hurts.
This fabric rubs easily (gets frayed).
Transitive verb for rubbing one thing against another, sometimes causing friction.
Rub stones together.
Rub the cream into your skin.
鉛筆の跡を消しゴムで消す。
Rub out the pencil marks with an eraser.
He rubbed in my mistake.
Literally 'to rub salt into (a wound)', used figuratively.
Say something that rubs salt into the wound.
She rubbed lotion into her skin.
The cat rubbed against my leg.