Japanese word

引っかく

Pronunciation

Romajihikkaku

Meaning

  • verbscratch

Example

猫がドアを引っかきます。neko ga do a o hi kka ki ma su

The cat scratches the door.

Illustration for 引っかく (scratch)

More examples

傷口を引っかかないようにしてください。kizu guchi o hi kka ka na i yō ni shi te ku da sa i

Please try not to scratch the wound.

Core concept

Describes drawing a fingernail, claw, or other sharp point across a surface so that it leaves a mark.

Common phrases

  • 背中を引っかくse naka o hi kka ku

    scratch one's back

  • 爪で引っかくtsume de hi kka ku

    scratch with one's claws

  • かゆい所を引っかくka yu i tokoro o hi kka ku

    scratch an itchy spot

Similar words

掻くkaku: To scrape or scratch a surface with a fingernail, claw, or other pointed part.
掻きむしるkakimushiru: To scratch forcefully and repeatedly, causing a surface to become torn or damaged.

Definition in Japanese

爪や鋭い物の先を物の表面に当ててこすり、傷をつける。tsume ya surudo i mono no saki o mono no hyō men ni a te te ko su ri kizu o tsu ke ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 引っかく (hikkaku, "to scratch") is analyzed as a combination of 引く (hiku, "to pull") and 掻く (kaku, "to scrape"), with a doubled consonant marking the join.

Usage tips

  • When an animal marks a surface with its claws, Japanese can use 引っかく (hikkaku, "to scratch"), while English often chooses claw when the action highlights the claws themselves.

Other meanings

  • clawverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word