収穫する
To harvest; gather (a crop) as a harvest.
収穫する en 30 secondes
- Primary meaning: To harvest agricultural crops like rice or fruit.
- Metaphorical meaning: To gain results, knowledge, or lessons from an experience.
- Grammar: A transitive 'suru' verb (Object + を + 収穫する).
- Nuance: Positive connotation of receiving a reward for labor or patience.
The Japanese verb 収穫する (shūkakusuru) is a fundamental term that primarily describes the physical act of gathering crops or agricultural produce at the end of a growing season. Composed of two kanji—収 (shu), meaning to obtain or take in, and 穫 (kaku), specifically referring to the harvest of grain—it carries a sense of completion and reward for labor. While its roots are firmly planted in the soil of agriculture, its usage has branched out into the metaphorical realms of business, education, and personal development, signifying the attainment of valuable results or knowledge after a period of effort.
- Agricultural Context
- This is the literal and most common usage. It refers to the reaping of rice, the picking of fruit, or the pulling of vegetables from the earth. When a farmer says they are going to shūkakusuru, they are entering the final, most crucial stage of the farming cycle where the investment of time and resources finally yields a tangible product.
- Metaphorical Gains
- In a non-literal sense, this verb describes 'harvesting' results from an experience. For example, if you attend a seminar and gain a wealth of new information, you can say you had a great 'harvest.' It implies that the time spent was productive and that you are walking away with something of value that you didn't have before.
秋になると、農家の人たちは忙しく稲を収穫する。
(When autumn comes, farmers busily harvest the rice.)
The word is versatile because it encapsulates the entire concept of 'return on investment.' Whether that investment is seeds and water or time and study, shūkakusuru is the verb of the payout. It is used in news reports regarding crop yields, in business post-mortems discussing what was learned from a failed project, and in travelogues describing the cultural insights gained from a trip abroad.
Culturally, the concept of harvest is deeply ingrained in Japanese society, celebrated through various 'Matsuri' (festivals) across the country. Therefore, using 収穫する often carries a positive, celebratory nuance, suggesting that hard work has finally come to fruition. It is rarely used for negative outcomes; you wouldn't 'harvest' a failure, you would 'harvest' the *lessons* from that failure.
このプロジェクトから多くの知見を収穫することができた。
(We were able to harvest a lot of knowledge from this project.)
- Nuance of Effort
- The verb implies a preceding period of growth. You cannot harvest what has not been planted. Thus, when using it metaphorically, it highlights that the results were earned through preparation and patience.
Grammatically, 収穫する functions as a transitive verb, meaning it typically takes a direct object marked by the particle を (o). The object is usually the thing being harvested, whether it be physical crops or abstract results. Because it is a suru-verb, it follows the standard conjugation patterns for Group 3 verbs in Japanese.
庭で育てたトマトを収穫するのが楽しみです。
(I'm looking forward to harvesting the tomatoes I grew in the garden.)
When using the verb in different tenses, remember the following transformations:
- Present/Future: 収穫する (shūkakusuru) - To harvest / Will harvest.
- Past: 収穫した (shūkakushita) - Harvested.
- Negative: 収穫しない (shūkakushinai) - Do not harvest.
- Polite: 収穫します (shūkakushimasu) - Harvest (polite).
- The Passive Form
- The passive form, 収穫される (shūkakusareru), is frequently used in news reports or scientific contexts where the focus is on the crop itself rather than the person doing the work. For example: 'Rice is harvested in October' (米は10月に収穫される).
In metaphorical usage, the verb often pairs with nouns like 成果 (seika - results), 経験 (keiken - experience), or 教訓 (kyōkun - lesson). It emphasizes that these intangible things are being 'gathered' for future use. It's a way of saying that the time spent was not wasted.
留学生活を通じて、多くの貴重な経験を収穫した。
(Through my life studying abroad, I harvested many valuable experiences.)
One interesting aspect of 収穫する is its usage in the potential form 収穫できる (shūkaku dekiru - can harvest). This is often used to discuss the productivity of a piece of land or the potential benefits of a strategy. 'If we use this method, we can harvest more data' (この方法を使えば、より多くのデータを収穫できる).
You will encounter 収穫する in a variety of settings, ranging from the muddy fields of rural Japan to the high-tech offices of Tokyo. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the word's full utility.
- On the Evening News
- Every autumn, Japanese news broadcasts are filled with segments about the 'Shinmai' (new rice) harvest. You will hear reporters saying, 'Farmers have begun to shūkakusuru the rice across the prefecture.' It’s a seasonal marker that signals the change of the year.
- At Business Meetings
- In a corporate environment, a manager might ask at the end of a conference, 'What did we shūkakusuru from this meeting?' Here, they are asking for the key takeaways, decisions made, or new information gathered that will benefit the company.
今年のリンゴは例年より早く収穫する予定です。
(We plan to harvest this year's apples earlier than usual.)
In the world of education, teachers often use this word when reflecting on a school trip or a long-term project. They might encourage students to think about what they 'harvested' from their interactions with local communities or nature. It frames learning as an active process of gathering something valuable.
Furthermore, in sports commentary, if a team loses but shows significant improvement or tests a new strategy successfully, the commentator might say, 'There was a significant shūkaku (harvest) in today's game despite the loss.' This highlights the silver lining—the valuable lessons learned on the field.
展示会に参加して、新しいビジネスの種を収穫した。
(I participated in the exhibition and harvested seeds for new business.)
Whether literally gathering food to sustain life or figuratively gathering ideas to sustain a career, 収穫する is a word that connects the traditional agricultural heart of Japan with its modern, results-driven society.
While 収穫する is a relatively straightforward verb, learners often make mistakes regarding its scope and its confusion with other 'gathering' or 'taking' verbs in Japanese. Understanding these nuances is key to sounding natural.
- Mistake 1: Confusing with 採る (Toru)
- The verb 採る (toru) also means to pick or gather, but it is used for smaller-scale actions, like picking a single flower or gathering mushrooms in the wild. 収穫する implies a systematic, often large-scale harvest of crops that were intentionally grown. You wouldn't 'harvest' a single wildflower; you would 'pick' (採る) it.
- Mistake 2: Using for People
- You cannot use 収穫する to mean 'recruiting' or 'gathering' people. For people, you would use 集める (atsumeru) or 採用する (saiyō suru - to hire). Using shūkakusuru for people sounds objectifying, as if you are treating humans like crops to be reaped.
❌ Incorrect: 森で綺麗な石を収穫した。
✅ Correct: 森で綺麗な石を拾った (hirotta - picked up).
(You don't 'harvest' stones in a forest; you 'pick them up.')
Another common error is applying 収穫する to negative outcomes. In English, we sometimes say 'you reap what you sow' in a negative sense (meaning you face the consequences of bad actions). In Japanese, 収穫する is almost exclusively positive or neutral. For the negative 'reap what you sow' concept, Japanese uses the idiom 自業自得 (jigō-jitoku).
Lastly, learners sometimes forget that 収穫 is a noun. Using it as a verb requires the addition of する. Saying 'Rice harvest' as a complete sentence for 'I harvested rice' is a common simplification that sounds unnatural in conversation.
Japanese has several words related to gathering and obtaining. Choosing the right one depends on the scale, the object, and the formality of the situation. Here is how 収穫する compares to its synonyms.
- 刈り取る (Karitoru)
- This specifically means 'to mow down' or 'to reap' using a blade. While shūkakusuru is the general act of harvesting, karitoru describes the physical motion of cutting stalks, such as rice or wheat. It is more descriptive of the physical labor involved.
- 採取する (Saishu suru)
- This is a more technical or scientific term for 'collecting' or 'extracting' samples. You might saishu suru blood for a test, or insects for a study. It doesn't imply the 'reward' aspect that shūkakusuru does.
- 得る (Eru)
- A very broad verb meaning 'to get' or 'to obtain.' While shūkakusuru is a specific type of 'getting' (after growth/effort), eru can be used for anything from getting a job to getting an idea. It lacks the agricultural imagery.
Comparison:
1. 米を収穫する (Harvest rice - general)
2. 稲を刈り取る (Mow down/reap rice stalks - physical act)
3. 植物の標本を採取する (Collect plant specimens - scientific)
In a metaphorical sense, another alternative is 成果を上げる (seika o ageru), which means 'to achieve results.' While shūkakusuru emphasizes the *gathering* of those results, seika o ageru emphasizes the *attainment* of success. Both are common in business, but shūkakusuru feels slightly more holistic, including the experience gained along the way.
How Formal Is It?
"本年度の稲作は、順調に収穫する運びとなりました。"
"明日は家族でりんごを収穫します。"
"庭のトマト、もう収穫した?"
"みんなでおいしいお野菜を収穫しようね!"
"今日の合コン、かなり収穫あったわ。"
Le savais-tu ?
The kanji 穫 (harvest) contains the radical for 'grain' (禾) on the left side, indicating its agricultural origins.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing 'shū' as 'shu' (short vowel).
- Pronouncing 'kaku' like the English word 'cock'.
- Over-rounding the lips for the 'u' sounds.
- Making the 'r' in 'suru' too heavy like an English 'r'.
- Forgetting the 'u' at the end of 'suru' in rapid speech.
Niveau de difficulté
The second kanji (穫) is complex and not used in many other common words.
Writing 穫 by hand requires practice due to the many strokes.
The pronunciation is straightforward once the long vowel is mastered.
Easily recognizable in seasonal or business contexts.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Exemples par niveau
庭でトマトを収穫する。
Harvest tomatoes in the garden.
Simple present tense with object を.
秋に米を収穫します。
We harvest rice in autumn.
Polite form -shimasu.
リンゴを収穫しましょう!
Let's harvest apples!
Volitional form -shō (let's).
おじいさんは大根を収穫した。
The old man harvested a radish.
Past tense -shita.
いちごを収穫するのは楽しいです。
Harvesting strawberries is fun.
Using 'no' to make the verb a noun phrase.
ジャガイモをたくさん収穫した。
I harvested many potatoes.
Adverb 'takusan' modifying the amount.
いつ収穫しますか?
When will you harvest?
Question form with 'itsu' (when).
野菜を収穫してください。
Please harvest the vegetables.
Request form -te kudasai.
週末、ぶどうを収穫しに行きます。
I'm going to go harvest grapes this weekend.
Verb stem + ni iku (go to do something).
この村では、毎年お祭りの前に米を収穫する。
In this village, they harvest rice every year before the festival.
Time clause with 'mae ni' (before).
自分で収穫した野菜は美味しい。
Vegetables you harvest yourself are delicious.
Relative clause modifying 'yasai'.
雨が降る前に、全て収穫しましょう。
Let's harvest everything before it rains.
Conditional 'before' clause.
子供たちは学校の畑でサツマイモを収穫した。
The children harvested sweet potatoes in the school field.
Location particle 'de'.
まだ収穫しないでください。
Please don't harvest yet.
Negative request -nai de kudasai.
どの果物を収穫したいですか?
Which fruit do you want to harvest?
Desire form -tai.
収穫したばかりのトウモロコシは甘い。
Corn that has just been harvested is sweet.
-ta bakari (just finished doing).
この実験から、予想以上のデータを収穫することができた。
From this experiment, we were able to harvest more data than expected.
Metaphorical use for data; potential form -koto ga dekita.
旅行中に、地元の文化について多くのことを収穫した。
During the trip, I harvested a lot of knowledge about the local culture.
Metaphorical use for knowledge/experience.
努力が実を結び、ついに成果を収穫する時が来た。
Our efforts bore fruit, and the time has finally come to harvest the results.
Idiomatic expression 'mi o musubu' (bear fruit) paired with shūkakusuru.
新しいプロジェクトでは、どのような知見を収穫しましたか?
What kind of insights did you harvest in the new project?
Metaphorical use for 'insights' (chiken).
彼は若い頃の苦労から、忍耐強さを収穫したようだ。
It seems he harvested perseverance from the hardships of his youth.
Metaphorical use for a personality trait.
この本を読んで、人生の教訓を収穫することができた。
By reading this book, I was able to harvest life lessons.
Metaphorical use for 'lessons' (kyōkun).
機械を使って効率的に米を収穫する。
Harvest rice efficiently using machinery.
Adverbial use of 'kōritsuteki ni' (efficiently).
収穫された野菜は、すぐに市場へ運ばれる。
The harvested vegetables are immediately transported to the market.
Passive form used as an adjective.
異常気象の影響で、今年は例年通りの量を収穫するのが難しい。
Due to abnormal weather, it is difficult to harvest the usual amount this year.
Complex sentence structure with 'no ga muzukashii'.
投資家たちは、市場の回復から利益を収穫しようとしている。
Investors are trying to harvest profits from the market recovery.
Metaphorical use for 'profits' (rieki); volitional + to shite iru.
この研究は、将来的に大きな技術的進歩を収穫することを目指している。
This research aims to harvest significant technological progress in the future.
Formal verb 'mezasu' (aim for).
長年の研究がようやく実り、画期的な発見を収穫した。
Years of research finally bore fruit, and a breakthrough discovery was harvested.
High-level vocabulary 'gakkiteki' (breakthrough).
SNSのデータを収穫して、消費者の傾向を分析する。
Harvest SNS data to analyze consumer trends.
Modern technical context (data harvesting).
適切な時期に収穫しないと、品質が落ちてしまう。
If you don't harvest at the right time, the quality will drop.
Conditional -nai to.
彼はその失敗から、かけがえのない教訓を収穫したと言えるだろう。
One could say he harvested an irreplaceable lesson from that failure.
Conjectural 'to ieru darō'.
農薬を使わずに育てた作物を収穫する喜びは大きい。
The joy of harvesting crops grown without pesticides is great.
Negative 'zu ni' (without doing).
この外交交渉を通じて、我が国は安全保障上の大きなメリットを収穫した。
Through these diplomatic negotiations, our country harvested significant security benefits.
Formal political/diplomatic context.
ビッグデータを収穫・活用することで、ビジネスモデルの変革を促す。
By harvesting and utilizing big data, we encourage the transformation of business models.
Compound verb usage with 'katsuyō' (utilize).
伝統的な知恵を現代の技術と融合させ、新たな価値を収穫する。
Fuse traditional wisdom with modern technology to harvest new value.
Abstract conceptual usage.
彼は多方面での活動を通じて、広範な人脈と知識を収穫してきた。
Through his activities in various fields, he has harvested an extensive network and knowledge.
Present perfect-like 'te kita' (has been doing).
収穫する喜びを知ることは、生命の循環を理解することに他ならない。
Knowing the joy of harvesting is nothing less than understanding the cycle of life.
Philosophical 'ni hoka naranai' structure.
この政策がどのような果実を収穫するかは、今後の運用次第である。
What kind of fruits this policy will harvest depends on its future implementation.
Noun + 'shidai' (depends on).
市場の混乱を逆手に取り、競合他社が失ったシェアを収穫する。
Take advantage of market turmoil to harvest the market share lost by competitors.
Strategic/competitive business context.
作家はその旅で得たインスピレーションを収穫し、傑作を書き上げた。
The author harvested the inspiration gained on that trip and finished a masterpiece.
Creative/artistic context.
人類の叡智を収穫し、次世代へと継承していく責務がある。
We have a responsibility to harvest human wisdom and pass it on to the next generation.
Highly formal/philosophical register.
資本主義の荒波の中で、いかにして持続可能な利益を収穫し続けるかが問われている。
In the stormy seas of capitalism, the question is how to continue harvesting sustainable profits.
Metaphorical 'aranami' (stormy seas) imagery.
歴史の教訓を真摯に収穫し、同じ過ちを繰り返さないことが肝要である。
It is essential to sincerely harvest the lessons of history and not repeat the same mistakes.
Formal 'kan'yō' (essential/vital).
情報の洪水の中から、真実という名の砂金を収穫するのは容易ではない。
It is not easy to harvest the gold dust called truth from the flood of information.
Poetic/literary metaphor.
そのプロジェクトの失敗は、将来の成功のための貴重な種を収穫したに過ぎない。
The failure of that project was nothing more than harvesting precious seeds for future success.
'ni sugisai' (nothing more than).
文化の多様性を収穫し、社会のレジリエンスを高める試みがなされている。
Attempts are being made to harvest cultural diversity and increase societal resilience.
Sociological/academic terminology.
彼は生涯をかけて、自然界の神秘を科学的知見として収穫し続けた。
He spent his whole life continuing to harvest the mysteries of the natural world as scientific knowledge.
'shōgai o kakete' (over a lifetime).
冷徹な市場原理に基づいて、非効率な部門からリソースを収穫し再分配する。
Based on cold market principles, harvest resources from inefficient departments and redistribute them.
Advanced economic/managerial register.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
収穫の秋
収穫祭
収穫を得る
収穫期を迎える
収穫量
収穫作業
収穫体験
収穫なし
収穫高
収穫を待つ
Expressions idiomatiques
"収穫を喜ぶ"
To rejoice in the harvest; celebrating success.
村人たちは今年の収穫を喜んだ。
Neutral"大きな収穫がある"
To have a big harvest; meaning something was very productive.
今回の出張は大きな収穫があった。
Neutral"収穫の喜び"
The joy of harvesting; the feeling of accomplishment.
彼は収穫の喜びを語った。
Literary"実りを収穫する"
To harvest the ripeness; emphasizes completion.
長年の努力の実りを収穫する。
Formal"知の収穫"
Harvest of knowledge; intellectual gain.
読書は知の収穫である。
Academic"心の収穫"
Harvest of the heart; emotional or spiritual growth.
旅は心の収穫をもたらす。
Poetic"手塩にかけて収穫する"
To harvest something raised with great care.
手塩にかけた野菜を収穫する。
Idiomatic"早すぎる収穫"
Harvesting too early; acting prematurely.
それは早すぎる収穫だったかもしれない。
Neutral"黄金の収穫"
Golden harvest; specifically referring to rice fields.
黄金の収穫が大地を覆う。
Poetic"歴史を収穫する"
To learn from/gather history.
我々は過去から歴史を収穫すべきだ。
FormalFamille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Shoe' (Shū) and a 'Cactus' (Kaku). Imagine you are using a giant shoe to gather cactus fruits. 'Shū-Kaku' is the harvest!
Association visuelle
Visualize a golden rice field in Japan with a farmer smiling as they cut the stalks. The word 'SHUKAKU' is written in the clouds.
Word Web
Défi
Try to use 'shūkakusuru' once today to describe something you learned. For example: 'I harvested a new word today!'
Origine du mot
Composed of two Sino-Japanese characters (Kanji). '収' means to collect, receive, or store. '穫' means to reap grain or harvest.
Sens originel : The literal gathering of ripened grain from the fields.
Sino-Japanese (Kango).Contexte culturel
No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it for people (recruitment) as it can sound dehumanizing.
English speakers use 'harvest' similarly, both for crops and metaphorically (e.g., 'harvesting energy' or 'harvesting data').
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Farming
- 米を収穫する
- 収穫時期
- 収穫量が増える
- 手作業で収穫する
Business
- 成果を収穫する
- プロジェクトの収穫
- 知見を収穫する
- 利益を収穫する
Education
- 学びを収穫する
- 収穫の多い授業
- 体験から収穫する
- 教訓を収穫する
Personal Hobby
- 家庭菜園で収穫する
- 収穫を楽しむ
- 初めての収穫
- たくさん収穫できた
Travel
- 旅の収穫
- 思い出を収穫する
- 文化を収穫する
- 現地で収穫した情報
Amorces de conversation
"今年の収穫はどうでしたか? (How was the harvest this year?)"
"最近、何か新しい知識を収穫しましたか? (Have you harvested any new knowledge recently?)"
"子供の頃、何かを収穫した思い出はありますか? (Do you have memories of harvesting something as a child?)"
Summary
収穫する (shūkakusuru) is the essential verb for 'harvesting.' While it literally describes gathering crops, it is frequently used to describe gaining valuable results or insights from projects, trips, or studies. Example: 成果を収穫する (To harvest results).
- Primary meaning: To harvest agricultural crops like rice or fruit.
- Metaphorical meaning: To gain results, knowledge, or lessons from an experience.
- Grammar: A transitive 'suru' verb (Object + を + 収穫する).
- Nuance: Positive connotation of receiving a reward for labor or patience.
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur nature
~上
B1Le mot 'ue' signifie 'sur' ou 'au-dessus'.
〜の上
A2Sur le dessus de ou au-dessus de quelque chose. 'Le chat est sur la table' se dit 'Neko wa tsukue no ue ni imasu'.
豊か
B1Abundant; rich; plentiful (na-adjective).
〜に従って
B1According to, in conformity with, as (something happens).
酸性雨
B1Acid rain.
営み
B1L'activité continue de la vie quotidienne ou de la nature. 'Les rouages de la vie.'
順応する
B1To adapt; to adjust; to conform.
~を背景に
B1Against the backdrop of; with...as background.
空気
A2air
大気汚染
B1Air pollution; the presence of harmful substances in the air.