Translation guide
The English verb 'graze' has two main meanings: (1) to eat grass in a field (for animals), and (2) to touch lightly or scrape against something. This guide covers both, with natural Japanese equivalents.
To describe animals eating grass in a field or pasture.
The most straightforward and common way to say 'graze' for animals. Literally 'eat grass'.
牛が牧場で草を食べている。
Cows are grazing in the pasture.
A slightly more literary or poetic verb for animals eating grass. Often used in written descriptions.
羊が丘の上で草を食んでいる。
Sheep are grazing on the hill.
Means 'to graze' in the sense of putting animals out to pasture or letting them graze. More about the action of the farmer.
農家は春になると牛を放牧する。
Farmers graze their cattle in spring.
To describe something lightly touching or scraping against a surface, often causing minor injury or just a brief contact.
When talking about animals eating grass, avoid using かする or 擦りむく. Use 草を食べる or 草を食む instead.
The most common verb for 'graze' in the sense of lightly touching or scraping. Can be used for bullets, cars, or skin injuries.
弾丸が彼の腕をかすめた。
The bullet grazed his arm.
車が壁をかすってしまった。
The car grazed the wall.
Specifically means to scrape or graze the skin, causing an abrasion. Often used for injuries like skinned knees.
転んでひざを擦りむいた。
I fell and grazed my knee.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be rubbed' or 'to be grazed'. Often used when something rubs against something else.
靴が擦れて足が痛い。
My shoes are rubbing and my foot hurts.