Translation guide
The English word 'scouring' can refer to cleaning by rubbing hard, searching thoroughly, or causing erosion. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To clean something by rubbing it vigorously, often with a brush or abrasive, to remove dirt or stains.
To search an area or source of information very carefully and completely.
To search thoroughly. A straightforward and common phrase.
警察はその地域を徹底的に探した。
The police scoured the area.
To wear away or remove material by the action of water, wind, or other natural forces.
To erode; the standard term for geological or material erosion.
川の流れが岸を浸食している。
The river is scouring the banks.
In English, 'scour' implies vigorous scrubbing. In Japanese, 磨く (みがく) can be used for polishing, but for light wiping, use 拭く (ふく) instead.
I scour the pot.
彼は毎日靴を磨く。
He scours his shoes every day.
To scrub or rub something, often with a brush or cloth. Emphasizes the physical action of rubbing.
汚れを落とすために床をこする。
I scour the floor to remove the dirt.
To wash off or scrub away dirt. Often used when the focus is on removing something.
油汚れを洗い落とす。
I scour off the grease.
To scrub vigorously, often with a back-and-forth motion. Onomatopoeic and casual.
鍋をごしごし洗った。
I scoured the pot vigorously.
He scoured the internet for information.
To search every nook and cranny; to leave no stone unturned. Slightly more literary.
彼らは森をくまなく探した。
They scoured the forest.
To go around searching; implies moving from place to place.
彼は仕事を求めて街を探し回った。
He scoured the city for a job.
To investigate everything thoroughly, leaving nothing out. Often used for documents or records.
会計士は帳簿を洗いざらい調べた。
The accountant scoured the books.
To shave, scrape, or wear down. Can be used for erosion but is more general.
風が岩を削る。
The wind scours the rocks.
To wash away; emphasizes the removal of material by flowing water.
洪水が表土を洗い流した。
The flood scoured away the topsoil.