Translation guide
The English verb 'pour' covers several distinct actions: causing a liquid to flow from a container, serving drinks, heavy rain, and a crowd moving in large numbers. Japanese uses different verbs for each, and the choice depends on what is being poured, how, and the context.
To cause a liquid to flow out of a container, typically by tilting it.
General verb for pouring a liquid into something. Can be used for pouring drinks, water, etc.
コップに水を注いだ。
I poured water into a glass.
彼は私のグラスにワインを注いでくれた。
He poured wine into my glass.
Often used for pouring drinks for someone, especially in social settings. Implies serving.
お茶をつぎましょうか。
Shall I pour you some tea?
To pour into, emphasizing the action of putting liquid into a container. More specific than 注ぐ.
ボウルに牛乳を注ぎ入れてください。
Please pour the milk into the bowl.
To pour liquid out of a container, often to empty it or discard the contents.
To empty a container by pouring out its contents. Commonly used for bottles, cans, etc.
ビンをあけて、中身を流しに捨てた。
I emptied the bottle and poured the contents down the sink.
To pour something down/into, often with force or in a stream. Used for pouring into a drain, sink, etc.
To rain very heavily.
Literally 'rain falls violently'. A natural way to describe heavy rain.
外は雨が激しく降っている。
It's pouring outside.
A common colloquial expression meaning 'it's pouring' or 'it's a downpour'.
今日は土砂降りだから、出かけたくない。
It's pouring today, so I don't want to go out.
Literally 'heavy rain falls'. A straightforward, neutral expression.
昨夜は大雨が降った。
It poured last night.
To move in a large group, like a crowd pouring out of a stadium.
Describes a crowd suddenly coming out in large numbers. Often used with 人が.
コンサートが終わると、人々がどっと出口に向かった。
When the concert ended, people poured toward the exit.
To rush or flood in large numbers. Often used for people rushing to a place or for applications flooding in.
問い合わせが殺到した。
Inquiries poured in.
To pour non-liquid substances like sand, sugar, or rice.
Can also be used for granular substances, though less common than for liquids.
ボウルに小麦粉を注ぐ。
Pour flour into a bowl.
General verb 'to put in'. Often used for solids and powders when the pouring action is not emphasized.
注ぐ (そそぐ) is a general verb for pouring liquids. つぐ is specifically for pouring drinks for someone, often in a serving context. Using つぐ implies hospitality.
母がお茶をついでくれた。
My mother poured me some tea.
Although 注ぐ can mean 'to pour', it is not used for rain. Use expressions like 雨が激しく降る or 土砂降りだ instead.
残ったスープを流しに流し込んだ。
I poured the leftover soup down the sink.
Please pour the sugar into the cup.