払う vs 掃う
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 払う
Listen to 掃う
| 払う | 掃う |
|---|---|
ha-RA-u verb (transitive, Godan) | はく verb (transitive, Godan) |
| to pay; to brush off or sweep away | to sweep; to brush away (usually with a broom or wide sweeping motion) |
How they differ
掃う refers to sweeping motions that clear an area (often with a broom) and is used for larger-scale cleaning, whereas 払う covers lighter brushing/flicking and a broader set of meanings including payment.
When to use each
When to use 払う: Prefer 払う for brief flicking or brushing actions, small removals, or non-physical senses.
When to use 掃う: Prefer 掃う when you mean sweeping or clearing large areas of dirt/debris, typically with a broom or sweeping gesture.
Side-by-side examples
- テーブルのパンくずを払った。
(I brushed the bread crumbs off the table.) - ほうきで床のパンくずを掃いた。
(I swept the bread crumbs from the floor with a broom.)
Register & nuance: 掃う is neutral and commonly used for cleaning-related actions; it is more specific to sweeping than 払う.