Translation guide
The English word 'plow' can be a noun (farming tool, snowplow) or a verb (to till soil, to push through forcefully, to invest back). This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese equivalents for learners.
The agricultural implement used to turn over soil, typically pulled by a tractor or animal.
General term for a plow, especially a traditional or simple one. Often used for hand-pushed or animal-drawn plows.
農家は鋤で畑を耕した。
The farmer plowed the field with a plow.
Loanword from English, often used for modern tractor-mounted plows or in technical contexts.
Attach the plow to the tractor.
A specific type of traditional Japanese plow, often with a curved blade. Rare and literary.
In the old days, they used a traditional plow to till the rice fields.
A vehicle or device for clearing snow from roads or railways.
The action of turning over soil using a plow or similar tool.
General verb for tilling or cultivating soil. Works for plowing fields.
Plow the field in spring.
Specifically 'to plow with a plow'. Emphasizes the tool used.
He plowed the field with a plow.
Verb meaning 'to plow' or 'to spade', directly related to 鋤. Less common than 耕す.
Plow the rice field.
To move forward with force, overcoming resistance (e.g., through snow, water, or a crowd).
To push forward, forge ahead. Captures the forceful, determined movement of 'plowing through'.
He plowed through the crowd.
To push one's way through, literally 'push aside and advance'. Good for physical barriers like bushes or crowds.
To advance by brute force. Emphasizes the effort and lack of finesse.
To reinvest money earned into a business or project (e.g., 'plow profits back into the company').
British slang meaning to fail an exam or test.
Do not use 耕す (tagayasu) for the metaphorical sense of 'plowing through' work or obstacles. Use 突き進む or similar phrases instead.
Plow through work.
耕す (tagayasu) is the general verb for cultivating land, while 鋤く (suku) specifically means to use a plow (鋤). In most contexts, 耕す is sufficient and more common.
There's a snowplow attached to the front of the train.
She plowed through the bushes.
He plowed through the door by force.
彼は全財産を事業につぎ込んだ。
He plowed all his money into the business.