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.
落ちている財布を拾った。
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.
床から本を取り上げた。
I picked up the book from the floor.
To lift something up, emphasizing the action of raising it.
重い箱を持ち上げられない。
I can't pick up this heavy box.
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.
駅まで迎えに行くよ。
I'll pick you up at the station.
To go and pick up an object, like a package or item.
クリーニングを取りに行ってくれる？
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'.
To gain knowledge or ability informally, often without formal study.
To acquire a skill or habit through practice or experience.
日本に住んで日本語を身につけた。
I picked up Japanese while living in Japan.
To learn or memorize; can imply picking up naturally.
To learn naturally, without conscious effort.
子供は言葉を自然に覚える。
Children pick up languages naturally.
To become aware of something subtle, like a smell, sound, or mistake.
To notice or realize something.
彼のミスに誰も気づかなかった。
Nobody picked up on his mistake.
To sense or pick up on a feeling or atmosphere.
To infer or sense something unspoken; more formal.
To start again after a pause, like a conversation or activity.
To resume or restart something.
明日、議論を再開しましょう。
Let's pick up the discussion tomorrow.
To continue from where you left off.
昨日の続きを続けよう。
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
To become better, stronger, or faster, often in business or conditions.
To pick up or improve, especially for economic trends or moods.
景気が上向いてきた。
The economy is picking up.
To recover or bounce back.
彼の健康は徐々に回復している。
His health is picking up gradually.
To intensify, like wind or rain picking up.
To answer or receive a telephone call.
Standard way to say 'answer the phone'.
電話に出られなかった。
I couldn't pick up the phone.
Short for answering the phone; used in casual contexts.
電話を取ってくれる？
Can you pick up the phone?
To make a place neat by putting things away.
To tidy up or put things in order.
部屋を片付けてください。
Please pick up your room.
Specifically for picking up items from the floor as part of tidying.
おもちゃを拾って。
Pick up your toys.
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.
I'll pick up a friend on the way.
現地で料理を覚えた。
I picked up cooking locally.
彼女の不安を感じ取った。
I picked up on her anxiety.
彼の意図を察した。
I picked up on his intention.
風が強まってきた。
The wind is picking up.