Translation guide
The English word "sweeping" can describe a physical cleaning action, a broad or comprehensive scope, a dramatic curved movement, or a quick spreading change. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
The physical action of using a broom to clean floors or surfaces.
The most common verb for sweeping with a broom. Transitive verb.
毎朝、庭を掃いています。
I sweep the garden every morning.
Please sweep the floor.
General cleaning, which can include sweeping. Often used for cleaning rooms or houses.
I cleaned the room (including sweeping).
Describing something that covers a wide range or affects many things, like changes, statements, or views.
Means 'large-scale' or 'drastic'. Often used for changes, reforms, or cuts.
The company carried out sweeping reforms.
Means 'all-out' or 'full-scale'. Emphasizes completeness.
Means 'wide-ranging' or 'extensive'. Suitable for abstract coverage.
Literally 'root and all', meaning thorough or sweeping removal. Often used with verbs like 取り除く.
Describing a wide, curving motion, like a gesture or a view.
Phrase meaning 'to draw a large arc'. Used for sweeping gestures or trajectories.
He made a sweeping gesture with his hand.
Means 'one sweeping view' or 'panoramic view'. Often used with する or できる.
Verb meaning 'to look out over' or 'to sweep one's gaze over'.
Describing something that spreads rapidly and widely, like a disease or trend.
Phrase meaning 'to spread rapidly'. Intransitive.
The infectious disease is sweeping through the population.
Means 'to sweep over' or 'to dominate'. Often used for trends or fashions.
The game swept the world.
Means 'to spread' or 'to be rampant', often for diseases or negative phenomena.
Misinformation is sweeping across the internet.
The verb 掃く (はく) only means physical sweeping with a broom. Using it for 'sweeping changes' or 'sweeping views' will sound unnatural. Use the adjectives or phrases listed under the other meanings.
大幅な emphasizes the magnitude of change (drastic, large-scale), while 全面的な emphasizes completeness (all-out, full-scale). For 'sweeping reforms', both can work, but 大幅な改革 is more common.
The company announced sweeping layoffs.
She made a sweeping gesture with her arm.
The government promised a sweeping review.
The law will have a sweeping impact.
汚職を根こそぎ一掃する。
To make a sweeping cleanup of corruption.
山頂から町を一望できる。
You can get a sweeping view of the town from the mountaintop.
丘の上から海を見渡した。
I swept my gaze over the sea from the hilltop.