Japanese word

すくう

Pronunciation

Romajisukū

Meaning

  • verbscoop

Example

砂をすくいます。suna o su ku i ma su

I scoop up sand.

Illustration for すくう (scoop)

More examples

水面に浮かぶ葉を網ですくいました。sui men ni u ka bu ha o ami de su ku i ma shi ta

I scooped up the leaves floating on the water with a net.

Core concept

Describes gathering a loose substance or liquid by sliding a hand or tool underneath it and lifting it.

Common phrases

  • 水をすくうmizu o su kū

    scoop water

  • 網ですくうami de su kū

    scoop with a net

  • 水面からすくうsui men ka ra su kū

    scoop from the water's surface

Similar words

汲むkumu: To draw liquid into a container or tool by dipping it into the liquid.
すくい上げるsukuiageru: To raise a substance or liquid after gathering it with a hand or tool.

Definition in Japanese

細かい物や液体を、手や道具で下から受けて持ち上げる。koma ka i mono ya eki tai o te ya dō gu de shita ka ra u ke te mo chi a ge ru

Word origin

すくう (sukū) is a native Japanese verb whose original word formation is not securely established, although its established use describes lifting material or liquid from below.

Usage tips

  • The English verbs scoop and ladle often divide uses that Japanese expresses with すくう (sukū), so one Japanese verb covers both sand and soup.

Other meanings

  • ladle outverb

Related words

  • すくいsukuiscoopnoun

Word lists with this word