At the A1 level, you should learn the most basic physical meaning of 'kaku'. It simply means 'to scratch' when something is itchy. Imagine you have a mosquito bite on your arm. You use your nails to scratch it. That action is 'kaku'. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Senaka o kaku' (I scratch my back). At this stage, don't worry about the metaphorical meanings. Just focus on the physical action of using your hand to scratch an itch. You might see it in children's books or hear it when someone is talking about a bug bite. It is a very useful word for basic physical needs. You should also recognize the kanji 掻, but many A1 materials will use hiragana かく. Remember that it sounds the same as 'kaku' (to write), but the context of an itchy body part will tell you which one it is. If someone points to their arm and says 'kaku', they aren't asking to write on it; they want to scratch it!
At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'kaku' to include common bodily functions. The most important phrase to learn is 'ase o kaku' (to sweat). In Japan's hot and humid summers, you will hear this constantly. It's important to remember that you cannot say 'ase o suru'. You must use 'kaku'. Another common phrase is 'ibiki o kaku' (to snore). If you are staying at a guesthouse or with a host family, you might need to apologize for snoring. You can say 'Ibiki o kaite sumimasen' (Sorry for snoring). You also start to see 'kaku' in compound words like 'yuki-kaki' (snow shoveling), which is a common winter activity in many parts of Japan. You are moving from just 'scratching an itch' to 'producing' things like sweat and sound through the body's natural actions.
At the B1 level, you should master the idiomatic and social uses of 'kaku'. The most critical expression is 'haji o kaku' (to lose face / to be embarrassed). In Japanese culture, social standing and 'face' are very important, so this phrase appears frequently in stories, news, and daily life. You might say 'Minna no mae de haji o kaita' (I embarrassed myself in front of everyone). You should also learn 'agura o kaku' (to sit cross-legged), and its metaphorical meaning of 'resting on one's laurels'. Furthermore, you will encounter 'kaku' in more varied physical contexts, such as 'kai o kaku' (to row an oar) or 'kaki-mawasu' (to stir things up). You should be able to distinguish 'kaku' from similar verbs like 'kosuru' (to rub) and 'hikkaku' (to claw/scratch deeply). Your understanding of 'kaku' becomes more nuanced, seeing it as a verb of friction and outward manifestation.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'kaku' in more complex grammatical structures and professional or literary contexts. You will encounter the verb in compound forms like 'kaki-dasu' (to scrape out) or 'kaki-消す' (to drown out/obliterate). For instance, 'Souon ga koe o kakikeshita' (The noise drowned out the voice). You will also see it used in descriptions of manual labor or traditional crafts where scraping or raking is involved. At this level, you should understand the subtle difference between 'kaku' and other verbs of contact in various registers. You might also encounter it in historical or regional contexts, such as specific ways of clearing land or managing crops. Your vocabulary should include 'beso o kaku' (to be on the verge of tears), which is often used in literature to describe a character's emotional state. You are now using 'kaku' to describe not just physical actions, but the way sounds and emotions interact with the environment.
At the C1 level, you should have a deep appreciation for the etymological roots and the broad metaphorical range of 'kaku'. You will find it in sophisticated literature and academic discussions about language. For example, you might analyze how 'kaku' (to scratch) and 'kaku' (to write) share a common origin in the idea of making marks on a surface. You will encounter rare idioms like 'miso o kaku' (to fail/make a mess of things) or 'haji o kaku' used in complex social critiques. You should be able to use 'kaku' to describe subtle movements in sports (like the precise motion of a swimmer's stroke) or the arts. Your understanding of the verb allows you to perceive the 'scraping' or 'drawing' essence in abstract concepts, such as 'drawing out' a certain atmosphere or 'scraping together' resources. You can navigate the various kanji associated with 'kaku' (掻, 欠, 描, 書) with perfect accuracy, even in cases where the usage is archaic or highly specialized.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for 'kaku'. You can distinguish between the most subtle nuances of its usage in classical Japanese literature versus modern slang. You are aware of regional dialects where 'kaku' might be used in unique ways (for example, in some dialects, 'kaku' can mean to carry something on one's shoulders, though this is rare in standard Japanese). You can use the verb to create poetic imagery or to deliver sharp social commentary. You understand the historical evolution of the kanji 掻 and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. In professional settings, you can use 'kaku' in its most technical senses in fields like archaeology (scraping soil) or fluid dynamics (the action of a blade through a medium). Your mastery is such that you can play with the word's homophones for rhetorical effect, fully grasping the deep cultural and linguistic layers that make 'kaku' such a foundational verb in the Japanese psyche.

掻く در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • To scratch an itch using nails or a tool.
  • To produce sweat (ase) or snoring (ibiki).
  • To experience embarrassment or lose face (haji).
  • To shovel snow or row a boat using scraping motions.

The Japanese verb 掻く (kaku) is a versatile and essential term that every intermediate learner must master. At its most fundamental level, it refers to the physical act of scratching a surface, typically the skin, using one's fingernails or a tool to relieve an itch. However, its utility in the Japanese language extends far beyond simple dermatology. It encompasses a range of physical actions involving a rhythmic, scraping, or pulling motion, as well as several physiological and metaphorical expressions that are deeply embedded in daily conversation.

1. Physical Relief and Grooming
The most common usage is scratching an itch (痒いところを掻く). This can apply to any part of the body, from the head to the feet. It implies a repetitive motion intended to alleviate discomfort. In a broader physical sense, it also describes animal behaviors, such as a dog scratching its ear or a cat scratching a post (though 'hikkaku' is often used for sharp clawing).
2. Physiological Functions
Interestingly, 'kaku' is used for bodily functions that involve 'expelling' or 'producing' something through effort or involuntary action. The most frequent are 汗をかく (ase o kaku) meaning 'to sweat' and いびきをかく (ibiki o kaku) meaning 'to snore'. These are fixed collocations; you cannot use 'suru' or 'yaru' for these actions. Think of it as the body 'scraping out' the sweat or the sound.
3. Metaphorical and Social Expressions
One of the most important idioms for B1 learners is 恥をかく (haji o kaku), which means 'to lose face' or 'to be embarrassed'. This suggests that shame is something one 'incurs' or 'scrapes onto' oneself in a social setting. Another common one is べそをかく (beso o kaku), referring to the facial contortion one makes when about to cry, particularly used for children.

蚊に刺されたところをあまり掻かないほうがいいですよ。 (It is better not to scratch the place where the mosquito bit you.)

A common medical advice given in Japan during the humid summer months.

Beyond the skin, 'kaku' appears in manual labor contexts. For example, 掻き回す (kaki-mawasu) means to stir or churn something vigorously, like a pot of soup or a situation. 掻き出す (kaki-dasu) means to scrape something out, like cleaning out a gutter. In snowy regions, 雪をかく (yuki o kaku) is a common way to describe shoveling or clearing snow, emphasizing the scraping motion of the shovel against the ground. This verb is deeply tied to the physical sensation of friction and movement across a surface.

彼は人前で大恥をかいてしまった。 (He ended up embarrassing himself greatly in public.)

Understanding 'kaku' requires looking past the single English definition of 'scratch'. It is a verb of action and production. Whether you are producing sweat, producing a sound while sleeping, or producing a social blunder, the common thread is the manifestation of an internal state or physical necessity through a 'scraping' or 'drawing out' action. This makes it one of the most expressive verbs for describing human experiences and physical interactions with the world.

Using 掻く (kaku) correctly involves understanding its transitive nature and its specific collocations. As a Godan verb (Group 1), it conjugates regularly: kaku (dictionary), kakimasu (polite), kaite (te-form), kakanai (negative). The particle を (o) is almost always used to indicate the object being scratched or the thing being produced (like sweat or shame).

Case 1: Physical Itching
When your skin is itchy (kayui), you use 'kaku'.
Example: 背中が痒いので、孫の手で掻いた。 (My back was itchy, so I scratched it with a backscratcher.)
Case 2: Physiological Production
For sweating and snoring, 'kaku' is the only natural verb.
Example: 運動した後は、たくさん汗をかきます。 (After exercising, I sweat a lot.)
Example: 父はいびきをかいて寝ている。 (My father is sleeping while snoring.)
Case 3: Social/Emotional Idioms
These are fixed phrases. You don't 'make' shame; you 'scratch' (incur) it.
Example: テストで名前を書き忘れて恥をかいた。 (I forgot to write my name on the test and embarrassed myself.)

頭をかきながら、彼は謝った。 (He apologized while scratching his head.)

Scratching the head is a common Japanese gesture for indicating confusion or awkwardness.

In advanced usage, 'kaku' can describe the action of rowing a boat (櫂をかく - kai o kaku) or clearing snow (雪をかく - yuki o kaku). In both cases, there is a rhythmic, pulling force applied to a medium (water or snow). Notice how the movement remains the same: a repetitive scraping or pulling toward oneself or across a surface.

When describing someone else's behavior, especially snoring or sweating, it is often used in the progressive 〜ている (-te iru) form to indicate an ongoing state or habit. For example, 彼はいつも寝ている時にいびきをかいている。 (He is always snoring when he sleeps.) This emphasizes the continuity of the action during the duration of sleep.

You will encounter 掻く (kaku) in a variety of real-life settings in Japan, ranging from casual home life to medical environments and literary descriptions. Because it covers both mundane physical needs and complex social emotions, its frequency is quite high.

At the Clinic (Dermatology)
If you visit a skin doctor (皮膚科 - hifuka) for a rash or eczema, the doctor will almost certainly ask: 「痒くても掻かないでくださいね。」 (Please don't scratch, even if it's itchy.) You might also hear 掻き壊す (kaki-kowasu), which means to scratch so much that the skin breaks or gets damaged.
In Daily Conversation
Friends often complain about the heat by saying 「暑くて汗をかいちゃった。」 (It was so hot I ended up sweating.) Or, if someone is sleeping loudly on a train, a companion might whisper 「いびきをかいてるよ、恥ずかしい!」 (You're snoring, it's embarrassing!)
In Anime and Manga
Character tropes often involve 'kaku'. A shy or embarrassed character will often scratch the back of their head (後頭部を掻く) while blushing. This visual shorthand is accompanied by the verb in descriptions or dialogue like 「ポリポリと頭を掻く」 (scratching one's head with a 'pori-pori' sound effect).

冬になると肌が乾燥して、つい掻いてしまいます。 (In winter, my skin gets dry and I accidentally end up scratching it.)

In business settings, you might hear the idiom あぐらをかく (agura o kaku). While literally meaning 'to sit cross-legged', its metaphorical meaning is 'to rest on one's laurels' or to become complacent because of one's position. For example, a company that stops innovating might be described as 「過去の成功にあぐらをかいている」 (resting on the laurels of past success).

While 掻く (kaku) is a common verb, its homophones and specific collocations can lead to several frequent errors for English speakers. Because the sound 'kaku' is shared by many high-frequency verbs, context and kanji are your best friends.

1. Confusing Homophones (The 'Kaku' Trio)
The most common mistake is mixing up 掻く (scratch), 書く (write), and 描く (draw/paint). While they sound identical in isolation, their usage is strictly different. You cannot 'write' an itch or 'scratch' a letter. Always check the kanji: 掻 (scratch) has the hand radical 扌 on the left, which signifies physical action.
2. Overusing 'Kaku' for 'Scratch'
In English, we 'scratch' a car or 'scratch' a surface to damage it. In Japanese, if you mean 'to leave a scratch mark' or 'to claw', the verb 引っ掻く (hikkaku) is often more appropriate. 'Kaku' usually implies the repetitive motion for relief or the production of sweat/snoring. If a cat scratches you, use 猫に引っ掻かれた (neko ni hikkakareta).
3. Incorrect Verb for Bodily Functions
English speakers often try to use 'suru' (to do) for sweating or snoring because we think of them as things the body 'does'. Saying *汗をする or *いびきをする is a major error. You must use 'kaku'. Memorize these as single units: 汗をかく and いびきをかく.

✕ 汗をしました。
○ 汗をかきました。 (I sweated.)

Another mistake is confusing 'kaku' with 'kosuru' (to rub). If you have something in your eye, you 'rub' it (me o kosuru). If your skin is itchy, you 'scratch' it (hada o kaku). Using 'kaku' on your eye would imply using your fingernails, which sounds very painful and dangerous to a Japanese speaker!

To truly master 掻く (kaku), you must understand how it differs from other verbs involving physical contact or production. Japanese is rich in specific verbs for touch and movement.

掻く (Kaku) vs. 擦る (Kosuru)
Kaku: Specifically involves nails or a tool to relieve an itch or scrape a surface. It is rhythmic and sharp.
Kosuru: To rub. This is a broader term for moving one surface against another (like rubbing your eyes or rubbing two sticks together). It doesn't necessarily involve nails or an itch.
掻く (Kaku) vs. 引っ掻く (Hikkaku)
Kaku: General scratching, often for relief or production.
Hikkaku: To claw or scratch deeply, often causing a wound. This is the verb used for cat scratches or accidentally scratching the paint on a car with a key. The 'hi-' prefix adds intensity and direction.
掻く (Kaku) vs. 撫でる (Naderu)
Kaku: Rough, fingernail-based action.
Naderu: To stroke or pet. This is a gentle, soothing motion using the palm of the hand. You 'naderu' a dog's head to show love, but you 'kaku' its ears if it has an itch.

痒いところを掻くのと、優しく撫でるのでは、感じ方が全く違います。 (Scratching an itch and gently stroking it feel completely different.)

In terms of bodily production, while 'kaku' is used for sweat and snoring, other verbs are used for other fluids. For example, you 'shed' tears (namida o nagasu) and 'blow' your nose (hana o kamu). Understanding these specific pairings is key to sounding natural. You can't 'kaku' tears unless you are literally scratching your eyes!

Finally, consider the compound verb 掻き消す (kakikesu). This means to 'scratch out' or drown out, usually referring to a sound or a memory. For example, 「都会の騒音が彼の声を掻き消した。」 (The city noise drowned out his voice.) This shows the 'kaku' motion acting as a force of removal or suppression.

چقدر رسمی است؟

نکته جالب

The kanji 掻 combines the hand radical (扌) with a character that originally meant 'flea' or 'pest' (though the modern version is slightly different), emphasizing the act of scratching an itch caused by a bug.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /ˈkɑː.kuː/
US /ˈkɑ.ku/
Pitch accent: Atamadaka (Type 1). The first syllable 'Ka' is high, and 'ku' is low. KĀ-ku.
هم‌قافیه با
Haku (to wear/sweep) Maku (to sow/roll) Saku (to bloom) Taku (to cook) Yaku (to burn) Kaku (to write) Naku (to cry) Aku (to open)
خطاهای رایج
  • Pronouncing it like 'cake' or 'cock'.
  • Stressing the 'ku' instead of the 'ka'.
  • Confusing the pitch with 'kaku' (to write), which is Heiban (Type 0: ka-KŪ).

سطح دشواری

خواندن 3/5

The kanji 掻 is N2 level, but the word itself is B1/N3. Learners often see it in hiragana.

نوشتن 4/5

The kanji 掻 is complex with many strokes in the right-side component.

صحبت کردن 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires remembering specific collocations.

گوش دادن 3/5

Must distinguish from 'write' and 'draw' based on context.

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

痒い (kayui) 汗 (ase) 恥 (haji) 爪 (tsume) 背中 (senaka)

بعداً یاد بگیرید

擦る (kosuru) 引っ掻く (hikkaku) 撫でる (naderu) 恥ずかしい (hazukashii) 蒸し暑い (mushiatsui)

پیشرفته

掻き消す (kakikesu) 掻き乱す (kakimidasu) あぐらをかく (agura o kaku) 味噌をかく (miso o kaku) べそをかく (beso o kaku)

گرامر لازم

Transitive Verbs with を

背中を掻く。 (Scratch the back.)

Compound Verbs (V1 stem + V2)

掻き回す (kaki-mawasu - scratch + turn = stir).

-te shimau (Regret/Completion)

恥をかいてしまった。 (I ended up embarrassed.)

Causative (Making someone do something)

彼に恥をかかせる。 (Make him embarrassed.)

Nagara (Simultaneous actions)

頭をかきながら謝る。 (Apologize while scratching one's head.)

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

背中を掻いてください。

Please scratch my back.

Uses the -te kudasai form for a request.

2

蚊に刺されたところを掻いた。

I scratched the mosquito bite.

Simple past tense of kaku.

3

痒いから掻かないで。

It's itchy, but don't scratch.

-nai de is a negative command/request.

4

猫が頭を掻いています。

The cat is scratching its head.

Progressive form -te iru.

5

どこを掻いていますか?

Where are you scratching?

Question form with 'doko'.

6

強く掻くと痛いです。

It hurts if you scratch hard.

Conditional 'to' indicating a natural result.

7

孫の手で掻きます。

I scratch with a backscratcher.

'de' indicates the tool used.

8

ちょっと掻いてもいいですか?

Is it okay if I scratch a little?

-te mo ii desu ka for permission.

1

暑くて汗をかきました。

It was hot, so I sweated.

'ase o kaku' is a fixed phrase for sweating.

2

彼は寝ている時にいびきをかきます。

He snores when he is sleeping.

'ibiki o kaku' is a fixed phrase for snoring.

3

冬は毎日雪かきをします。

I shovel snow every day in winter.

'yuki-kaki' is a noun derived from the verb kaku.

4

恥をかきたくないです。

I don't want to embarrass myself.

'haji o kaku' means to lose face/be embarrassed.

5

たくさん汗をかいたので、シャワーを浴びます。

I sweated a lot, so I'll take a shower.

'node' indicates reason.

6

そんなにいびきをかかないで。

Don't snore that much.

Negative request form.

7

彼は恥をかいて赤くなった。

He embarrassed himself and turned red.

Sequential actions.

8

スポーツをしていい汗をかこう。

Let's play sports and have a good sweat.

Volitional form -ou.

1

人前で恥をかいてしまった。

I ended up embarrassing myself in public.

-te shimau indicates regret.

2

彼は過去の成功にあぐらをかいている。

He is resting on his laurels of past success.

Idiom: agura o kaku (to be complacent).

3

赤ん坊がべそをかいている。

The baby is on the verge of tears.

Idiom: beso o kaku.

4

ボートの櫂を一生懸命かいた。

I rowed the oars of the boat with all my might.

'kai o kaku' means to row.

5

スープをよく掻き回してください。

Please stir the soup well.

Compound verb: kaki-mawasu (to stir).

6

彼は頭をかきながら困った顔をした。

He made a troubled face while scratching his head.

-nagara indicates simultaneous actions.

7

嘘がばれて恥をかいた。

The lie was discovered, and I was embarrassed.

Passive 'barete' (being exposed).

8

泥棒は鍵穴を掻き回して開けようとした。

The thief tried to open the lock by fiddling with it.

'kaki-mawasu' used for fiddling/stirring.

1

都会の喧騒が彼女の声を掻き消した。

The city's hustle and bustle drowned out her voice.

Compound verb: kaki-kesu (to drown out).

2

彼は自分の間違いを棚に上げて、あぐらをかいている。

He ignores his own mistakes and acts superior.

Combination of two idioms.

3

溝にたまった泥を掻き出した。

I scraped out the mud collected in the gutter.

Compound verb: kaki-dasu (to scrape out).

4

そんなことで恥をかく必要はない。

There is no need to feel embarrassed about such a thing.

'hitsuyou wa nai' (no need).

5

選手たちは激しく水をかいて進んだ。

The athletes pushed forward, vigorously pulling the water.

Metaphorical use for swimming strokes.

6

彼は一生懸命に雪をかいて道を空けた。

He worked hard shoveling snow to clear the path.

Focus on the effort of the action.

7

彼女は悔しさのあまり、べそをかいた。

She was so frustrated she was on the verge of tears.

'amari' (too much / so... that).

8

情報を掻き集めてレポートを完成させた。

I scraped together information and finished the report.

Compound verb: kaki-atsumeru (to scrape together).

1

その騒音は、私の思考を掻き乱した。

That noise disturbed my thoughts.

Compound verb: kaki-midasu (to disturb/disrupt).

2

彼はかつての栄光にあぐらをかき、努力を怠った。

He rested on his former glory and neglected his efforts.

Formal literary tone.

3

彼女は人前で大恥をかかされた。

She was made to feel greatly embarrassed in public.

Causative-passive form: kaka-sareta.

4

古い書類の中から、有力な証拠を掻き出した。

I unearthed (scraped out) significant evidence from the old documents.

Metaphorical use of kaki-dasu.

5

波をかき分けて進む船の姿は美しかった。

The sight of the ship pushing through the waves was beautiful.

Compound verb: kaki-wakeru (to push through/part).

6

彼は冷や汗をかきながら、尋問に答えた。

He answered the interrogation while breaking out in a cold sweat.

'hiya-ase o kaku' (to break into a cold sweat).

7

その一言が、静寂を掻き消した。

That single word shattered the silence.

Literary use of kaki-kesu.

8

彼は泥にまみれながら、必死に土をかいた。

Covered in mud, he frantically scraped at the earth.

Emphasizing the raw physical action.

1

権力にあぐらをかく政治家たちに、国民の怒りが爆発した。

The public's anger exploded against the politicians who were complacent in their power.

Highly formal/political usage of agura o kaku.

2

静謐な空気を掻き乱すような、鋭い叫び声が響いた。

A sharp scream echoed, as if to disturb the tranquil atmosphere.

Sophisticated literary vocabulary (seihitsu).

3

彼は自らの無知をさらけ出し、末代までの恥をかいた。

He exposed his own ignorance and brought shame upon himself for generations.

Idiomatic expression: matsudai made no haji.

4

荒波をかき分けて進むその意志は、誰にも止められなかった。

Nothing could stop his will as he pushed through the rough waves.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

5

情報の断片を掻き集め、真実のジグソーパズルを完成させる。

Scraping together fragments of information to complete the jigsaw puzzle of truth.

Complex metaphorical imagery.

6

彼は、自らの過ちを掻き消そうとするかのように働き続けた。

He continued to work as if trying to blot out his own mistakes.

'~ka no you ni' (as if).

7

その一瞬の躊躇が、全ての計画を掻き回してしまった。

That moment of hesitation threw all the plans into chaos.

Abstract use of kaki-mawasu.

8

古の記録を掻き分ければ、忘れ去られた真実が見えてくる。

If one sifts through (scrapes through) ancient records, the forgotten truths will appear.

Conditional 'eba' with metaphorical motion.

ترکیب‌های رایج

汗をかく
いびきをかく
恥をかく
背中をかく
頭をかく
雪をかく
べそをかく
あぐらをかく
櫂をかく
冷や汗をかく

عبارات رایج

大恥をかく

— To suffer a great embarrassment or lose a lot of face.

スピーチで失敗して大恥をかいた。

恥をかかせる

— To cause someone else to be embarrassed or lose face.

彼は私に恥をかかせた。

一汗かく

— To do some physical work or exercise to sweat a little.

仕事の前に一汗かこう。

寝汗をかく

— To have night sweats while sleeping.

風邪をひいて寝汗をかいた。

掻き消される

— To be drowned out (usually a sound or voice).

声が雨の音に掻き消された。

掻き集める

— To scrape together or gather up items quickly.

落ち葉を掻き集める。

掻き乱す

— To disturb, disrupt, or throw into disorder.

静かな生活を掻き乱された。

掻き分ける

— To push aside or part things (like a crowd or bushes) to move through.

人混みを掻き分けて進む。

掻き出す

— To scrape out or shovel out something from a container or space.

灰を掻き出す。

掻き立てる

— To stir up or incite (like curiosity or fire).

好奇心を掻き立てる。

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

掻く vs 書く (kaku)

To write. Identical pronunciation but different kanji and pitch accent.

掻く vs 描く (kaku/egaku)

To draw or paint. Identical pronunciation (kaku) but different kanji.

掻く vs 欠く (kaku)

To lack or chip. Identical pronunciation but different kanji and meaning.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"あぐらをかく"

— Literally to sit cross-legged, but metaphorically to be complacent or rest on one's laurels.

地位にあぐらをかいてはいけない。

Neutral/Business
"恥をかく"

— To be embarrassed or lose face in a social situation.

知らないと言って恥をかいた。

Neutral
"べそをかく"

— To be on the verge of crying, usually used for children or in a slightly mocking way.

転んでべそをかいている。

Informal
"味噌をかく"

— To fail miserably or make a mess of things (older idiom).

大事な場面で味噌をかいた。

Archaic/Regional
"寝首をかく"

— Literally to cut someone's throat while they sleep; metaphorically to betray someone when they are vulnerable.

仲間に寝首をかかれた。

Literary/Dramatic
"一泡吹かせる"

— (Related to production) To give someone a nasty surprise/scare.

ライバルに一泡吹かせてやった。

Informal
"爪を研ぐ"

— (Related to kaku action) To wait for an opportunity with sharp anticipation.

復讐の爪を研ぐ。

Literary
"首を掻く"

— (Archaic) To commit suicide by cutting one's throat or to be beheaded.

武士は潔く首をかいた。

Historical
"顔に泥を塗る"

— (Alternative to haji o kaku) To bring disgrace to someone's name.

親の顔に泥を塗るな。

Neutral
"腹をかく"

— (Regional/Rare) To get angry or take offense.

つまらないことで腹をかくな。

Dialect

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

掻く vs 擦る (kosuru)

Both involve moving the hand across a surface.

Kaku uses nails/tools for an itch; kosuru uses the palm or broad surface for rubbing.

目を擦る (rub eyes) vs. 背中を掻く (scratch back).

掻く vs 引っ掻く (hikkaku)

Both mean 'scratch'.

Hikkaku is more forceful, often implying a wound or single sharp motion (like a cat). Kaku is repetitive for relief or production.

猫に引っ掻かれた (scratched by a cat).

掻く vs 撫でる (naderu)

Both involve touching skin with a hand.

Naderu is gentle and affectionate; kaku is rough and functional.

頭を撫でる (pet head) vs. 頭を掻く (scratch head).

掻く vs 磨く (migaku)

Both involve a repetitive motion on a surface.

Migaku is to polish or clean; kaku is to scratch or produce.

靴を磨く (polish shoes).

掻く vs 毟る (mushiru)

Both involve using fingers/nails on a surface.

Mushiru is to pluck or pull off; kaku is to scrape across.

草を毟る (pluck grass).

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

A1

[Body part] を かく。

あたまをかく。

A2

[Ase/Ibiki] を かく。

あせをかく。

B1

[Haji] を かく。

はずかしいので、はじをかきたくない。

B1

[Tool] で [Body part] を かく。

まごのてでせなかをかく。

B2

[V-stem] + かき〜

スープをかきまわす。

B2

[Haji] を かかされる。

みんなのまえではじをかかされた。

C1

[Metaphorical Object] を 掻き消す。

なみのおとが、わたしのこえをかきけした。

C2

[Abstract Concept] に あぐらをかく。

かこのえいこうにあぐらをかく。

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

掻き (kaki - the act of scratching)
雪かき (yuki-kaki - snow shoveling)
掻き傷 (kaki-kizu - a scratch mark)

فعل‌ها

掻き回す (kaki-mawasu)
掻き消す (kaki-kesu)
掻き出す (kaki-dasu)
掻き集める (kaki-atsumeru)

صفت‌ها

痒い (kayui - itchy, often the trigger for kaku)

مرتبط

爪 (tsume - nail)
孫の手 (magonote - backscratcher)
汗 (ase - sweat)
いびき (ibiki - snore)
恥 (haji - shame)

نحوه استفاده

frequency

Highly frequent in daily life, especially in summer (sweat) or winter (snow/dry skin).

اشتباهات رایج
  • 汗をする (ase o suru) 汗をかく (ase o kaku)

    Bodily outputs like sweat and snoring always use 'kaku', not 'suru'.

  • 痒いから擦る (kayui kara kosuru) 痒いから掻く (kayui kara kaku)

    'Kosuru' is rubbing; 'kaku' is scratching an itch with nails.

  • 車をかいた (kuruma o kaita) 車に傷をつけた / 引っ掻いた

    'Kaku' is for itches/production; 'hikkaku' is for damaging surfaces.

  • 恥をする (haji o suru) 恥をかく (haji o kaku)

    Shame is something you 'incur' or 'scratch onto yourself', not 'do'.

  • 目をかく (me o kaku) 目をこする (me o kosuru)

    Using 'kaku' on eyes implies using nails, which is dangerous.

نکات

Fixed Collocations

Always pair 'ase' (sweat) and 'ibiki' (snore) with 'kaku'. Using 'suru' is a common beginner mistake that sounds very unnatural.

The Magonote

If you need to scratch your back in Japan, ask for a 'magonote'. It's a great conversation starter about Japanese idioms!

Pitch Accent

Remember that 'KĀ-ku' (scratch) starts high and drops. This helps distinguish it from 'ka-KŪ' (write) in clear speech.

Hand Radical

The 扌 radical on the left of 掻 is your clue that this 'kaku' involves a physical hand action. Look for it to avoid confusion with 'write'.

Compound Verbs

'Kaki-' is a very productive prefix. Learning 'kaki-dasu' (scrape out) and 'kaki-atsumeru' (scrape together) will boost your B1 vocabulary.

Haji o Kaku Nuance

Use 'haji o kaku' for social blunders. If you just feel 'shy', use 'hazukashii' instead. 'Haji' is about reputation.

Yuki-kaki

In northern Japan, 'yuki-kaki' is a daily chore. Using this term instead of 'snow removal' makes you sound much more local.

Historical Root

'Kaku' once meant making any kind of mark. This is why 'scratch', 'write', and 'draw' all share the same pronunciation.

Head Scratching

In Japan, scratching the head is a sign of 'I'm sorry' or 'I'm confused'. Don't be surprised if people do it while apologizing.

Don't Scratch Your Eyes!

Never use 'kaku' for eyes. Use 'kosuru' (rub). Using 'kaku' implies you are using your nails on your eyeballs!

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Imagine a cat using its hand (扌) to scratch an itch caused by a flea (蚤). The sound 'kaku' is like the 'clack-clack' of nails against skin.

تداعی تصویری

Picture a wooden backscratcher (magonote) shaped like a small hand, scraping across a back.

شبکه واژگان

Skin Itch Sweat Snore Shame Snow Oar Stir

چالش

Try to use 'kaku' in three different ways today: once for a physical itch, once for sweating, and once for a social situation.

ریشه کلمه

Derived from Old Japanese 'kaku', which denoted a repetitive motion of the hand or a tool against a surface.

معنای اصلی: To scratch, scrape, or draw marks.

Japonic

بافت فرهنگی

Be careful when mentioning someone's snoring (ibiki) or sweating (ase), as these can be sensitive personal topics in Japan.

In English, we say 'breaking a sweat', but in Japanese, you 'scratch' it out. We also 'lose face', which is very similar to 'haji o kaku'.

The concept of 'Haji' in Ruth Benedict's 'The Chrysanthemum and the Sword'. Common trope in Ghibli films where characters scratch their heads when awkward. Haiku often use 'yuki-kaki' to set a winter scene.

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

Medical/Health

  • 痒いところを掻く
  • 汗をかく
  • 湿疹を掻き壊す
  • 寝汗をかく

Social Situations

  • 恥をかく
  • 大恥をかく
  • 恥をかかせる
  • 冷や汗をかく

Home/Daily Life

  • 背中を掻く
  • いびきをかく
  • 孫の手で掻く
  • 頭をかく

Winter/Weather

  • 雪をかく
  • 雪かきをする
  • 乾燥で肌を掻く
  • 一汗かく

Actions/Sports

  • 櫂をかく
  • 水をかく
  • 掻き回す
  • 掻き分ける

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"最近、何か恥をかいたことはありますか? (Have you embarrassed yourself recently?)"

"寝ている時にいびきをかきますか? (Do you snore when you sleep?)"

"夏にたくさん汗をかいた後、何を飲みますか? (What do you drink after sweating a lot in summer?)"

"背中が痒い時、どうやって掻きますか? (When your back is itchy, how do you scratch it?)"

"雪かきをしたことがありますか? (Have you ever shoveled snow?)"

موضوعات نگارش

今日、恥をかいてしまった出来事について書いてください。 (Write about an event where you embarrassed yourself today.)

日本の夏と自分の国の夏の『汗のかき方』の違いについて。 (The difference between sweating in Japanese summer vs. your country.)

『あぐらをかく』という言葉の意味を、自分の経験に当てはめて考えてみましょう。 (Apply the meaning of 'resting on laurels' to your own experience.)

子供が『べそをかいている』のを見た時の気持ち。 (How you feel when you see a child on the verge of tears.)

雪国での生活と『雪かき』の大変さについて想像して書いてください。 (Imagine and write about the difficulty of snow shoveling in a snowy region.)

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

It is better to use 'hikkaku' or 'kizu o tsukeru' (to make a scratch/mark). 'Kaku' is primarily for itches or producing things like sweat.

'Ase o kaku' is the general process of sweating. 'Ase o nagasu' (to shed sweat) implies working hard or sweating profusely, like after a long run.

Yes, it generally implies a social blunder or loss of dignity. However, people often use it lightheartedly to describe small mistakes.

Etymologically, it's thought to come from the idea of the sound 'scraping' the throat or being 'drawn out' like a mark.

Yes, but the kanji is different (描く). In spoken Japanese, they sound the same, so context is needed.

It means to sit with your legs crossed in front of you (Indian style). Metaphorically, it means being lazy or arrogant in one's position.

Yes, every Japanese person knows it. It's the standard word for a backscratcher.

You use 'kezuru' (to shave/scrape off) for lottery tickets, not 'kaku'.

It can be used for stirring soup, or metaphorically for someone who enters a group and causes trouble or chaos.

No, for shaving a beard, you use 'soru'. For shaving wood, you use 'kezuru'.

خودت رو بسنج 180 سوال

writing

Translate: 'Please scratch my back.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I sweated a lot because it was hot.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'My father snores loudly.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I don't want to embarrass myself in front of everyone.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'The baby is about to cry.' (Use beso)

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I shoveled snow this morning.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'Don't scratch the mosquito bite.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'He is resting on his laurels.' (Idiom)

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'The noise drowned out the music.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'Stir the soup well.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I scraped together some money.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'He scratched his head and apologized.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I embarrassed myself by making a mistake.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'The ship pushed through the waves.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I broke into a cold sweat.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'Don't cause your parents to lose face.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I scratched my arm because it was itchy.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'She was Made to feel embarrassed.' (Passive)

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'I can't scratch my own back.' (Potential)

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Translate: 'He is always snoring.'

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Describe a time you felt 'haji o kaku' in Japanese.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Ask someone to scratch your back because it is itchy.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Explain that you sweat a lot during exercise.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Complain about a roommate's snoring.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Tell a child not to scratch their rash.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say that the noise is too loud and you can't hear. (Use kakikesu)

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say you need to shovel snow before going to work.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Describe someone who is being complacent. (Use agura)

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Ask if someone has a backscratcher.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say you were so nervous you had a cold sweat.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Explain how to stir a certain dish.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say a child was about to cry after falling.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Describe pushing through a crowd at a station.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say you gathered up all your strength. (Use kaki-atsumeru metaphorically)

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Tell someone not to embarrass you.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Describe the sound of a cat scratching.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say your back is itchy but you can't reach.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Explain why you took a shower. (Sweat)

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Apologize for snoring during a nap.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
speaking

Say you were embarrassed because you forgot your wallet.

این را بلند بخوانید:

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Ase o kaku'. What is happening?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Haji o kaita'. How does the person feel?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Ibiki o kaku'. What sound is being made?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Yuki-kaki'. What season is it?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Senaka o kaku'. What is the person doing?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Kaki-mawasu'. What is the action?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Beso o kaku'. Who is likely the subject?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Hiya-ase o kaku'. Why is this happening?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Kai o kaku'. Where is the person?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Kaki-kesu'. What happened to the voice?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Agura o kaku'. What is the posture?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Magonote'. What object is being used?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Haji o kakaseru'. Who is embarrassed?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Kaki-atsumeru'. What is the result?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
listening

Listen: 'Kaki-midasu'. What is the effect?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence about why you shouldn't scratch a bug bite.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a sentence about someone who is lazy using 'agura'.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:
writing

Write a short dialogue (2 lines) about snoring.

خوب نوشتید! تلاش خوبی بود! پاسخ نمونه را ببینید.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:

/ 180 درست

نمره کامل!

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