大掃除(おおそうじ)

おおそうじ
noun, suru verb
major cleaning; thorough cleaning; year-end cleaning
1. major house cleaning; thorough cleaning; spring cleaning
a comprehensive cleaning of an entire home or space, often done at year-end in Japan
年末(ねんまつ)に大掃除(おおそうじ)をする。
I do major cleaning at the end of the year.
大掃除(おおそうじ)で普段(ふだん)掃除(そうじ)しない場所(ばしょ)もきれいにした。
During the major cleaning, I also cleaned places I don't usually clean.
家族(かぞく)全員(ぜんいん)で大掃除(おおそうじ)をして、新年(しんねん)を迎(むか)える準備(じゅんび)をした。
The whole family did major cleaning to prepare to welcome the new year.

FORMATION:
大(おお) (big, major) + 掃除(そうじ) (cleaning) → big cleaning

VERB FORM:
大掃除(おおそうじ)する (to do major cleaning)
大掃除(おおそうじ)をする (to do major cleaning)

YEAR-END TRADITION:

In Japan, 大掃除(おおそうじ) is traditionally done before New Year's (正月(しょうがつ)) to:

  • Cleanse the house of the old year's dust
  • Welcome the New Year god (年神様(としがみさま))
  • Start the new year fresh and clean

COMMON TASKS:

  • 窓拭(まどふ)き (window cleaning)
  • 換気扇(かんきせん)の掃除(そうじ) (ventilation fan cleaning)
  • エアコン掃除(そうじ) (air conditioner cleaning)
  • 押(お)し入(い)れの整理(せいり) (closet organization)

RELATED TERMS:

  • 断捨離(だんしゃり) (decluttering)
  • 整理整頓(せいりせいとん) (organizing and tidying)
general
Added 2026.1.26 13:22 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
08000/08347_oosouji