Japanese word

拾う

Pronunciation

Romajihirou

Meaning

  • verbpick up

Example

道で財布を拾いました。michi de sai fu o hiro i ma shi ta

I picked up a wallet on the street.

Illustration for 拾う (pick up)

More examples

公園で落ち葉を拾います。kō en de o chi ba o hiro i ma su

I pick up leaves in the park.

海岸でごみを拾いました。kai gan de go mi o hiro i ma shi ta

I picked up litter on the beach.

Core concept

Describes finding something on the ground or among scattered objects and taking it into one's hands.

Common phrases

  • 落とし物を拾うo to shi mono o hiro u

    pick up a lost item

  • ごみを拾うgo mi o hiro u

    pick up litter

  • 小銭を拾うko zeni o hiro u

    pick up loose change

Similar words

拾い上げるhiroiageru: To lift a found object from the ground or another surface.
拾い集めるhiroiatsumeru: To gather several scattered objects into one place.

Definition in Japanese

道などに落ちている物を見つけて手に取る。michi na do ni o chi te i ru mono o mi tsu ke te te ni to ru

Word origin

拾う (hirō) is a native Japanese verb that comes from the older form ひろふ (hirō), meaning to find and take up something.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, pick up can also mean learn informally, but Japanese 拾う (hirō) centers on finding and taking up a physical object.

Other meanings

  • gatherverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 拾い物hiroimonofound objectnoun
  • 拾い主hiroinushifindernoun

Word lists with this word