Translation guide
The English word 'plough' (or 'plow') refers to a farming tool used to turn over soil, and by extension, the act of using it or moving through something with force. This guide covers the main Japanese equivalents for the tool, the action, and related figurative uses.
Referring to the agricultural implement used to cut and turn over soil.
General term for a plow. Can refer to various types, from simple hand plows to larger ones.
The farmer used a plow to till the field.
Loanword from English, often used for modern or Western-style plows.
トラクターにプラウを取り付ける。
Attach the plow to the tractor.
A traditional Japanese plow, often pulled by oxen or horses. Historical/literary term.
昔は犂で田を耕していた。
In the old days, they plowed the fields with a traditional plow.
Describing the act of turning over soil with a plow.
The most common verb for tilling or plowing soil. Used for fields, gardens, etc.
春になったら畑を耕します。
When spring comes, I will plow the field.
トラクターで田んぼを耕す。
Plow the rice paddy with a tractor.
Literally 'to plow with a plow'. Emphasizes the tool used.
彼は鋤で耕しながら歌を歌った。
He sang a song while plowing with the plow.
Verb specifically meaning 'to plow' or 'to spade', but less common than 耕す. Often used in agricultural contexts.
畑を鋤いて土を柔らかくする。
Plow the field to soften the soil.
Describing pushing through a substance or crowd, like a ship plowing through waves or a person plowing through work.
Means 'to push one's way through' something like a crowd, bushes, or snow. Captures the forceful forward motion.
人混みをかき分けて進んだ。
I plowed through the crowd.
船が波をかき分けて進む。
The ship plows through the waves.
Means 'to push forward' or 'to forge ahead', often with determination. Can be used for plowing through work or obstacles.
Casual expression meaning 'to make rapid progress', like plowing through a task.
宿題をどんどん進めた。
I plowed through my homework.
Referring to a vehicle or device for clearing snow.
Standard term for a snowplow vehicle.
除雪車が道路の雪を除けている。
The snowplow is clearing the snow from the road.
Loanword for snowplow, often used for the attachment on a vehicle.
耕す (tagayasu) is the general verb for tilling or cultivating soil, and is the most common way to say 'to plow'. 鋤く (suku) specifically means to plow with a 鋤 (suki), but is less frequently used in everyday speech. For most contexts, 耕す is the safer choice.
Avoid directly translating 'plow through' as 耕す (tagayasu) when referring to non-agricultural contexts. Instead, use phrases like かき分けて進む (kakiwakete susumu) for physical movement or どんどん進める (dondon susumeru) for making progress on a task.
農夫が畑を耕した。
The farmer plowed the field.
私道の雪を除雪しなければならない。
We need to plow the snow off the driveway.
彼女は山のような書類をどんどん片付けた。
She plowed through the pile of paperwork.
彼は困難をものともせずに突き進んだ。
He plowed through the difficulties without hesitation.
Attach a snowplow to the truck.