払う vs 拭う
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 払う
Listen to 拭う
| 払う | 拭う |
|---|---|
ha-RA-u verb (transitive, Godan) | ぬぐう verb (transitive, Godan) |
| to pay; to brush off or sweep away | to wipe off; to dry or remove by rubbing |
How they differ
拭う implies wiping or rubbing something away (usually liquid or a mark) often with a cloth or hand, while 払う implies a lighter brushing or flicking action and can also be used figuratively or for payments.
When to use each
When to use 払う: Prefer 払う for quick, light brush-off actions or idiomatic uses (e.g., 注意を払う ‘pay attention’).
When to use 拭う: Prefer 拭う when you actually wipe something away (sweat, tears, spills) or when the action involves rubbing with a cloth or hand.
Side-by-side examples
- 腕で額の汗を払った。
(I brushed the sweat off my forehead with my arm.) - タオルで額の汗をぬぐった。
(I wiped the sweat from my forehead with a towel.)
Register & nuance: 拭う is neutral and common in everyday speech for physical wiping; it is more specific than 払う.