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薙ぎ払う (なぎはらう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
mow down ; cut down ; slash horizontally ; sweep away
Describes a powerful, sweeping motion that cuts down or clears away multiple things at once, often with a blade. Can be used literally for cutting grass or enemies, and figuratively for eliminating obstacles or competitors.
はら
っ
て
道みち
を
作つく
る
。
They cut down the grass to make a path.
Written forms 薙な ぎ 払はら う Usage 26%
Standard kanji spelling; 薙 is a less common kanji but is the established form for this verb.
なぎ 払はら う Usage 53%
Mixed kana-kanji spelling, common when the writer wants to avoid the rare kanji 薙.
なぎはらう Usage 21%
Similar words 切き り 倒たお す Focuses on cutting something down so it falls, like a tree. 薙ぎ払う emphasizes a sweeping, clearing motion across a wide area.
一いっ 掃そう する Means 'to sweep away' or 'clean out' in a more abstract or thorough sense, often used for eliminating problems or unwanted things. 薙ぎ払う carries a stronger image of physical, blade-like sweeping.
Etymology Compound of 薙ぐ (nagu, 'to mow down, cut in a sweeping motion') and 払う (harau, 'to clear away, sweep'). The combination intensifies the sense of clearing away by cutting.
