Translation guide
The act of scraping or rubbing a surface, often with nails or a sharp object, to relieve an itch, make a sound, or mark something. This guide covers how to express 'scratching' in Japanese depending on what is being scratched and why.
To relieve an itch by rubbing with nails or fingers.
The most common verb for scratching an itch on your own body. Transitive verb.
I scratched the mosquito bite.
背中がかゆいので、かいてください。
My back itches, so please scratch it.
Kanji form of かく, used in writing. Same meaning.
湿疹を掻いてはいけない。
You must not scratch the eczema.
To scrape a surface with a sharp object, leaving marks or producing a sound.
To scratch and damage a surface, like a cat scratching furniture. Transitive verb.
猫がソファを引っかいた。
The cat scratched the sofa.
彼は怒って机を引っかいた。
He scratched the desk in anger.
To scratch and cause damage or injury. More general than 引っかく.
To rub or scrape a surface, often producing a sound. Can be used for scratching noises.
The sound produced by scratching, often described onomatopoeically.
Onomatopoeia for a scratching or scraping sound, like a pen writing or claws on a hard surface.
犬がドアをガリガリひっかいている。
The dog is scratching the door with a scratching sound.
Onomatopoeia for a lighter scratching sound, like a pencil or small claws.
To remove or cancel something by drawing lines through it.
Literally 'draw a line and erase', used for scratching out text.
間違えたので、その行を線を引いて消した。
I made a mistake, so I scratched out that line.
Formal term for deletion or erasure, often used in official contexts.
その記録は抹消された。
The record was scratched out (deleted).
To deal with only the surface of a problem, not the deeper issues.
Literally 'just tracing the surface', meaning to only scratch the surface.
彼の説明は問題の表面をなぞるだけだった。
His explanation only scratched the surface of the problem.
Means 'only the surface' or 'superficial', often used with verbs like 触れる (to touch).
その本は歴史の上辺だけに触れている。
The book only scratches the surface of history.
The verb かく (掻く) is mainly for scratching an itch on skin. For scratching a surface like furniture, use 引っかく or 傷つける.
かく is for relieving an itch on your body. 引っかく implies scratching and damaging a surface, often with claws or nails.
釘で床を傷つけてしまった。
I accidentally scratched the floor with a nail.
I hate the sound of nails scratching a blackboard.
猫が壁をカリカリしている。
The cat is scratching the wall with a light scratching sound.