かく・掻くkaku[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. godan verb, transitive verbto scratch
   蚊かに刺さされたところをかいちゃだめだよ。はれちゃうから。↗

   Don't scratch your mosquito bite. It'll get inflamed.
2. godan verb, transitive verbto perspire
   先生せんせいの言葉ことばでメアリーは冷や汗ひやあせをかいた。↗

   The teacher's words put Mary in a cold sweat.
3. godan verb, transitive verbto shovel; to paddle

• Synonym引っかくひっかくNeutralScratching with nails or claws and leaving scratch marks; 「掻く」 is broader, also used for scratching an itch or sweating.
• Related擦るするNeutralRubbing, as in striking a match; it can also mean losing money. Where the two overlap, 「掻く」 is about scratching rather than rubbing.
• RelatedさするNeutralAlso written 「磨る」; used for grinding things such as ink. Unlike 「掻く」, it is not about scratching.
• RelatedかするNeutralLightly grazing past something; also means taking a cut or commission. 「掻く」 is scratching with the nails.
• Related摩するまするWrittenWritten/formal prose for rubbing or pressing close against something, as in 「天を摩する」.

Use 「掻く」 for scratching, scratching an itch, sweating, or paddling, as in 「頭を掻く」 and 「汗をかく」. For scratching that leaves marks, use 「引っかく」; for rubbing, 「擦る」; for lightly grazing past, 「掠る」.

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

1. 先さきの鋭するどいものを、押おしたり引ひいたりする。引っ搔ひっかく。
2. 首くびを切きる。
3. 一部いちぶの名詞めいしについて、何なんらかの行為こういや動作どうさを行おこなうことを表あらわす。