Translation guide
The English phrase 'dip up' means to scoop or ladle something out of a liquid or container. In Japanese, this is expressed with verbs like すくう (scoop) or くむ (ladle/draw water), depending on what is being dipped up and the context.
To scoop up food or objects from a liquid, such as soup ingredients or noodles.
General verb for scooping up solids or semi-solids from a liquid, often with a net, ladle, or spoon.
鍋から豆腐をすくう。
Scoop the tofu out of the pot.
金魚をすくう。
Scoop up a goldfish (with a net).
Emphasizes lifting something out after scooping; 'scoop up and out'.
スープの具をすくい上げる。
Scoop up the ingredients from the soup.
To dip up a liquid, such as water, soup, or broth, using a ladle or dipper.
Used for drawing or ladling water or other liquids, often from a well, bucket, or pot.
井戸から水をくむ。
Draw water from the well.
お玉でスープをくむ。
Ladle soup with a ladle.
Can also be used for liquids, but more commonly for solids. When used for liquids, it implies scooping with a utensil.
スープをすくう。
Scoop up some soup.
To dip up using a net, strainer, or skimmer.
すくう is used for scooping solids or semi-solids (tofu, goldfish, ingredients), while くむ is specifically for drawing or ladling liquids (water, soup). すくう can sometimes be used for liquids, but くむ is more natural for that purpose.