Translation guide
The English word 'grazing' can refer to animals eating grass, a bullet or object scraping a surface, or eating small amounts of food throughout the day. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To describe livestock or wild animals feeding on grass in a field.
The most straightforward and common way to say 'graze' for animals. Literally 'eat grass'.
Cows are grazing in the pasture.
A slightly more literary or poetic verb for animals eating grass. Often used in written descriptions.
Sheep are grazing on the hill.
Refers to the act of putting animals out to graze, i.e., pasturing or letting them graze. More about the farmer's action than the animal's.
In spring, they put the cows out to graze.
To describe a bullet, object, or body part lightly scraping or brushing against a surface.
The most common verb for 'graze' in the sense of a light touch or scrape. Used for bullets, cars, etc.
The bullet grazed his shoulder.
The car grazed the wall.
Means 'to rub' or 'to scrape'. Can be used for grazing, but often implies more friction or a scratch.
Kanji form of かする, often used in writing. Same meaning.
To describe the human habit of snacking or eating lightly and frequently instead of full meals.
A natural, casual way to say 'graze' for eating. Implies eating small amounts frequently.
She grazes all day long.
Implies eating in a lazy, drawn-out manner, often with a negative nuance of mindless snacking.
It's not good to graze while watching TV.
Literally 'eat between meals'. A more formal or standard term for snacking, which can cover grazing behavior.
If you graze too much, you'll gain weight.
I fell and grazed my knee.
The arrow grazed his cheek.