Translation guide
The English phrase "pick up" has many meanings. This guide organizes the most common ones for learners, from physically lifting something to acquiring skills or people. Japanese expressions vary greatly by context.
To grasp and raise an object from a surface or the ground.
General verb for picking up something that has fallen or is on the ground.
I picked up a wallet that was on the ground.
To pick up and take something, often with a sense of lifting it for a purpose.
To lift something up, emphasizing the action of raising it.
To go and get a person or thing, often by vehicle or from a location.
Standard phrase for going to pick up a person, like from a station or airport.
To gain knowledge or ability informally, often without formal study.
To acquire a skill or habit through practice or experience.
To become aware of something subtle, like a smell, sound, or mistake.
To notice or realize something.
To start again after a pause, like a conversation or activity.
To resume or restart something.
To become better, stronger, or faster, often in business or conditions.
To answer or receive a telephone call.
Standard way to say 'answer the phone'.
To make a place neat by putting things away.
The English 'pick up' covers many unrelated concepts. Always choose the Japanese expression that matches the specific meaning you intend. Using 拾う for 'pick up a language' would be incorrect.
Use 迎えに行く for people (meeting them), and 取りに行く for objects (fetching them). Mixing them up can sound odd.
Pick up a friend.
I picked up the book from the floor.
I can't pick up this heavy box.
I'll pick you up at the station.
To go and pick up an object, like a package or item.
Can you pick up the dry cleaning?
Can be used for picking up a person in a vehicle, but sounds casual and implies 'scooping up'.
I'll pick up a friend on the way.
I picked up Japanese while living in Japan.
To learn or memorize; can imply picking up naturally.
I picked up cooking locally.
To learn naturally, without conscious effort.
Children pick up languages naturally.
Nobody picked up on his mistake.
To sense or pick up on a feeling or atmosphere.
I picked up on her anxiety.
To infer or sense something unspoken; more formal.
I picked up on his intention.
Let's pick up the discussion tomorrow.
To continue from where you left off.
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
To pick up or improve, especially for economic trends or moods.
The economy is picking up.
To recover or bounce back.
His health is picking up gradually.
To intensify, like wind or rain picking up.
The wind is picking up.
I couldn't pick up the phone.
Short for answering the phone; used in casual contexts.
Can you pick up the phone?
To tidy up or put things in order.
Please pick up your room.
Specifically for picking up items from the floor as part of tidying.
Pick up your toys.
荷物を取りに行く。
Pick up a package.