Translation guide
The English word 'rubbing' can refer to several distinct actions: applying friction to a surface, making a copy by rubbing, or the resulting copy itself. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To move something back and forth against a surface with pressure, often for cleaning, polishing, or soothing.
General verb for rubbing one thing against another. Can be used for cleaning, polishing, or scratching.
I rubbed my face with a towel.
I rubbed off the dirt.
Often used in set phrases or when the rubbing is more forceful or continuous. Can also mean to strike a match.
I struck a match and lit it.
I rubbed my hands together to warm them.
To rub something against something else, often with the nuance of pressing or smearing.
The cat rubbed its body against my leg.
To rub gently, often for soothing or comforting, like rubbing a sore muscle or a child's back.
The mother rubbed her child's back.
To create a copy of a textured surface by placing paper over it and rubbing with charcoal, pencil, or crayon.
The standard term for making a rubbing of an inscription, stone monument, or similar. '拓本' (takuhon) is the resulting rubbing.
I made a rubbing of the old stone monument.
The rubbing itself, the copy made by this technique. Often used in historical or artistic contexts.
Literally 'to rub out', can be used for making a rubbing by transferring a pattern, but less common than 拓本.
The piece of paper with the transferred image or text, created by the rubbing technique.
こする is the most common and versatile for rubbing actions. 擦る (する) is often used in fixed expressions or when the rubbing is more forceful. さする implies a gentle, soothing rub, often with the palm.
Do not use こする or 擦る to mean making a rubbing of a monument. Use 拓本を取る instead. Saying 石碑をこする would mean you are physically rubbing the stone, not making a copy.
この拓本は江戸時代のものです。
This rubbing is from the Edo period.
I rubbed the leaf pattern onto the paper.
This is a rubbing of a leaf.