掘ること
horu koto
The English phrase "digging" is translated into Japanese as 掘ること (horu koto).
掘ること refers to the physical act of breaking up and moving earth with your hands or a tool. For more specific contexts, other terms are used: 発掘 is used for archaeological digging or excavation, while 掘削 is a broader term used for activities like mining or deep excavation. If you are using tools, a shovel is called スコップ and a hoe is called クワ.
Which one should you use?
While 掘ること describes the act itself, the noun form 掘り can also be used to refer to digging or an excavation, frequently appearing in compound words. For the action itself, the dictionary form of the verb is 掘る.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of the verb is 掘る (horu), which is used to express the action itself. In contrast, 掘ること (horu koto) is used when the action functions as the subject or the object of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
horu koto
Did you know?
- When describing someone with deep-set eyes or prominent facial features, Japanese people use the phrase 掘りの深い, which literally translates to 'deep digging'.
- The word スコップ for a shovel is not derived from English, but is actually a loanword from the Dutch word 'schop'.
- A 'bargain' or 'hidden treasure' found while shopping is called 掘り出し物, which literally describes something 'dug out'.
Examples in context
- 古代遺跡の発掘が進んでいます。Ancient ruins are being excavated.
- 石油の掘削が停止されました。Oil drilling has been suspended.
- 庭で花を植える前に穴を掘ってください。Please dig a hole in the garden before planting the flowers.
- 地面から古い硬貨を掘り起こしたんだ。I dug up an old coin from the ground.
- 庭で穴を掘ること。Niwa de ana o horu koto.Digging a hole in the garden.
- 地面を掘ることは大変だ。Jimen o horu koto wa taihen da.Digging the ground is hard work.
- 砂遊びで穴を掘ることに夢中だ。Sunasobi de ana o horu koto ni muchū da.He is absorbed in digging holes while playing in the sand.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are working in the garden together.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、地面を掘ることは嫌い？Yota-kun, jimen o horu koto wa kirai?Yota, do you hate digging the ground?
- 陽太 Yotaいや、掘ることは楽しいよ。Iya, horu koto wa tanoshii yo.No, digging is fun.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、一緒に穴を掘りましょう。Jaa, issho ni ana o horimashō.Then, let's dig a hole together.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね、やろう！Sō da ne, yarō!Right, let's do it!
