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Words Kanji Guides About

たわし Japanese meaning | Kotomora

たわし

た

わ

し

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

scrubbing brush; scourer

usually written using kana alone

A stiff brush or abrasive pad used for scrubbing pots, sinks, or other surfaces. Often made from natural fibers or synthetic materials.

鍋なべをたわしでこする。
I scrub the pot with a scrubbing brush.
台だい所どころのシンクをタワシで磨みがいた。
I polished the kitchen sink with a scourer.

Written forms

たわしUsage55%
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
タワシUsage38%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is also common, especially on product packaging.
束子たわしUsage7%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; learners will almost always encounter the kana spellings.

Kanji

束bundle, sheaf, ream
子child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM

Similar words

スポンジ
A sponge is softer and used for general washing, while たわし is stiffer and used for heavy scrubbing.
ブラシ
A general brush; たわし specifically implies a short, stiff scrubbing tool.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the verb たわめる (to bend), referring to the flexible fibers of traditional scrubbing brushes.