How to say "carve" in Japanese

• 彫るほるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe word for carving as a craft: shaping wood, stone, or another material into a figure or design, or engraving patterns into a surface. This is the sculptor's word, covering 'sculpt' and 'chisel' too.
  彼かれは私に木きの人形にんぎょうを彫ほってくれた。↗

  He carved me a wooden doll.
• 刻むきざむJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCarves or engraves with the emphasis on the cutting itself: cutting letters, lines, or notches into a surface rather than shaping a whole figure. Think of cutting marks or a name into stone or wood.
  彼かれは大理石だいりせきを刻きざんで像ぞうを作つくった。↗

  He carved marble into a statue.

Use 「彫る」 when carve means shaping wood or stone into a figure or design, as a sculptor does; use 「刻む」 when it means cutting letters, marks, or notches into a surface.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 彫るほるto carve
• 彫りつけるほりつけるto carve (design)
• 刻み込むきざみこむto etch (name, etc.)
• 彫り刻むほりきざむto engrave
• 切り分けるきりわけるto cut and divide
• くり抜くくりぬくto gouge out
• 刻むきざむto carve
• 勒するろくするto carve