Translation guide
The English verb 'wipe' covers cleaning, drying, removing, and erasing. Japanese uses different verbs depending on the object, tool, and motion. This guide organizes the most common ways to express 'wipe' naturally.
To clean a flat surface by rubbing with a cloth, sponge, etc.
The most general verb for wiping a surface with a cloth or tissue. Used for tables, floors, windows, etc.
テーブルを拭いてください。
Please wipe the table.
I wiped the floor with a rag.
Emphasizes wiping something off completely, often used for spills or stains.
I wiped up the spilled milk.
Formal term for cleaning, including wiping. Used in professional or official contexts.
The staff will wipe the tables.
To remove moisture by rubbing with a towel or cloth.
To remove a substance from a surface by wiping.
Focuses on removing something by wiping. Often used with を marking the thing removed.
I wiped the dirt off the window.
Often used for wiping away tears, sweat, or something from one's own body. Slightly literary or emotional.
To wipe something off completely so it disappears, like erasing a whiteboard.
To specify the tool used for wiping.
Use the particle で to indicate the tool. Very common pattern.
I wiped the spilled coffee with a tissue.
To completely remove digital data or memories.
Standard term for erasing or wiping data from a device.
I wiped the data from my smartphone.
More formal, often used for deleting records, accounts, or evidence.
To wipe an account.
To initialize or factory reset, effectively wiping all data.
I wiped my computer (reset to factory settings).
To eliminate or destroy completely.
For erasing pencil or pen marks, use 消す (けす) with an eraser, not 拭く. 拭く implies a wiping motion with a cloth or tissue, not a rubber eraser.
Erase pencil marks with an eraser.
拭く is general wiping. 拭き取る emphasizes removing something completely, often a substance. 拭う is often for wiping one's own body (tears, sweat) and can sound more emotional or literary.
Wipe the moisture off the vegetables before cutting.
I wipe the fog off my glasses.
She wiped away her tears.
I wipe the sweat from my forehead.
ホワイトボードの文字を拭き消した。
I wiped the writing off the whiteboard.