How to say "plow" in Japanese

• 耕すたがやすJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe most common word: the general verb for plowing or tilling a field, and by extension for cultivating land. Use this when you need the everyday verb 'to plow'.
  農家のうかの人ひと達たちは鋤すきで土つちを耕たがやす。↗

  Farmers turn up the soil with plows.
• 鋤き返すすきかえす
  godan verb, transitive verbMeans to plow (up) soil, suggesting turning the earth back over. It is less common and fits when you specifically want that 'plow up' sense rather than plain plowing.
• プラウ
  nounA loanword naming the plow itself as a machine or implement. It is less common than the native word and is really the tool's name, not a verb for plowing.
• 鋤くすく
  godan verb, transitive verbA less common verb covering plowing, hoeing, and tilling. Seldom the first verb you want for 'plow'; it suggests working soil with a hoe or similar implement.
• 鋤すき
  nounThe noun for the plow, the farm implement itself. It is less common, so for the implement プラウ may be more readily understood; 鋤 also underlies related plowing expressions.
  農家のうかの人ひと達たちは鋤すきで土つちを耕たがやす。↗

  Farmers turn up the soil with plows.

For the verb 'to plow' use 「耕す」 in most contexts; 「鋤く」 is a less common alternative, 「鋤き返す」 means plowing up; for the noun use 鋤, or 「プラウ」 for the implement.

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

• 耕すたがやすto till
• 鋤き返すすきかえすto plow (up)
• プラウplough
• 鋤くすくto plough
• 鋤すきplough
• 起こすおこすto plough