Translation guide
The English word 'grazing' can refer to animals eating grass, a bullet or object scraping a surface, or eating small amounts of food throughout the day. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To describe livestock or wild animals feeding on grass in a field.
The most straightforward and common way to say 'graze' for animals. Literally 'eat grass'.
牛が牧場で草を食べている。
Cows are grazing in the pasture.
A slightly more literary or poetic verb for animals eating grass. Often used in written descriptions.
羊が丘の上で草を食んでいる。
Sheep are grazing on the hill.
Refers to the act of putting animals out to graze, i.e., pasturing or letting them graze. More about the farmer's action than the animal's.
春になると牛を放牧する。
In spring, they put the cows out to graze.
To describe a bullet, object, or body part lightly scraping or brushing against a surface.
The most common verb for 'graze' in the sense of a light touch or scrape. Used for bullets, cars, etc.
弾丸が彼の肩をかすめた。
The bullet grazed his shoulder.
車が壁をかすってしまった。
The car grazed the wall.
Means 'to rub' or 'to scrape'. Can be used for grazing, but often implies more friction or a scratch.
転んで膝を擦った。
I fell and grazed my knee.
Kanji form of かする, often used in writing. Same meaning.
矢が頬を掠った。
The arrow grazed his cheek.
To describe the human habit of snacking or eating lightly and frequently instead of full meals.
A natural, casual way to say 'graze' for eating. Implies eating small amounts frequently.
彼女は一日中ちょこちょこ食べている。
She grazes all day long.
Implies eating in a lazy, drawn-out manner, often with a negative nuance of mindless snacking.
テレビを見ながらだらだら食べるのはよくない。
It's not good to graze while watching TV.
Literally 'eat between meals'. A more formal or standard term for snacking, which can cover grazing behavior.
間食しすぎると太るよ。
If you graze too much, you'll gain weight.