綿 棒(めんぼう)

めんぼう

noun

cotton swab; Q-tip

1. cotton swab; cotton bud; Q-tip

A small stick with cotton wrapped around one or both ends, used for cleaning ears, applying medicine or cosmetics, and other purposes.

綿棒(めんぼう)で耳(みみ)を掃除(そうじ)する。

To clean one's ears with a cotton swab.

薬局(やっきょく)で綿棒(めんぼう)を買(か)ってきて。

Go buy some cotton swabs at the pharmacy.

細(こま)かい部分(ぶぶん)の汚(よご)れは綿棒(めんぼう)を使(つか)うときれいに落(お)とせる。

You can cleanly remove dirt from small areas by using a cotton swab.

A common household item. Composed of 綿(めん) (cotton) + 棒(ぼう) (stick/rod). An everyday word that every learner living in Japan will encounter.

Common collocations

綿棒(めんぼう)で耳掃除(みみそうじ): ear cleaning with a cotton swab
綿棒(めんぼう)で塗(ぬ)る: to apply (medicine/cosmetics) with a cotton swab
使(つか)い捨(す)ての綿棒(めんぼう): disposable cotton swabs
先(さき)の細(ほそ)い綿棒(めんぼう): cotton swabs with thin tips

Usage

While commonly used for ear cleaning in Japan, medical professionals often advise against inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal. 綿棒(めんぼう) is also used for applying medicine to wounds, cleaning small electronics, and precision cosmetics application.

Related words

耳掃除(みみそうじ): ear cleaning
耳(みみ)かき: ear pick — a traditional Japanese ear-cleaning tool, different from a cotton swab
脱脂綿(だっしめん): absorbent cotton; cotton wool — the medical cotton used for gauze and padding

Related Words

Related: 耳(みみ)かき (ear pick)

general

Added 2026.3.28 22:00 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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