Translation guide
The English phrase 'dip up' means to scoop or ladle something out of a liquid or container. In Japanese, this is expressed with verbs like すくう (scoop) or くむ (ladle/draw water), depending on what is being dipped up and the context.
To scoop up food or objects from a liquid, such as soup ingredients or noodles.
General verb for scooping up solids or semi-solids from a liquid, often with a net, ladle, or spoon.
鍋から豆腐をすくう。
Scoop the tofu out of the pot.
金魚をすくう。
Scoop up a goldfish (with a net).
Emphasizes lifting something out after scooping; 'scoop up and out'.
スープの具をすくい上げる。
Scoop up the ingredients from the soup.
To dip up a liquid, such as water, soup, or broth, using a ladle or dipper.
Used for drawing or ladling water or other liquids, often from a well, bucket, or pot.
井戸から水をくむ。
Draw water from the well.
お玉でスープをくむ。
Ladle soup with a ladle.
Can also be used for liquids, but more commonly for solids. When used for liquids, it implies scooping with a utensil.
To dip up using a net, strainer, or skimmer.
すくう is used for scooping solids or semi-solids (tofu, goldfish, ingredients), while くむ is specifically for drawing or ladling liquids (water, soup). すくう can sometimes be used for liquids, but くむ is more natural for that purpose.
Scoop up some soup.