How to say "pour" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 注ぐそそぐgodan verb, transitive verbCovers the core sense of pouring liquid into something — water into a pot, tea into a cup — with the focus on the liquid going in. The default verb for this kind of 'pour'.
- godan verb, transitive verbPouring into a vessel so as to fill it: filling a cup or glass with tea, beer or the like, and dishing food or drink out. Usually written in kana alone.
- godan verb, transitive verbPouring in the sense of serving drinks to someone or adding liquid to something; also usually written in kana. For serving a drink it overlaps with つぐ.
- 流すながすgodan verb, transitive verbIts core senses are draining and letting liquid flow or run, so it is seldom the word you want for pouring a drink; think of it when liquid is made to flow away.
- 汲むくむgodan verb, transitive verbCovers pouring into a cup, plus drinking together; as a way to say 'pour' it is narrow and marginal — for pouring in general, 注ぐ or つぐ are the words you want.
Use 「注ぐ」 for pouring liquid into something, 「つぐ」 or 「さす」 for filling cups and serving drinks, and 「流す」 for draining or letting liquid run; 「汲む」 is only a narrow match, for pouring into a cup.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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