Translation guide
The English word "pouring" covers several distinct actions in Japanese. The most common equivalent is 注ぐ (sosogu), but the best word depends on what is being poured and how. This guide breaks down the main uses for learners.
To transfer a liquid from one vessel to another, such as pouring tea, coffee, water, or milk.
The most general verb for pouring a liquid. Can be used for pouring drinks, water, etc. Transitive verb.
コップに水を注ぐ
Pour water into a glass.
お茶を注いでください
Please pour the tea.
Often used for pouring drinks for someone, especially from a bottle or pot into a cup. Implies serving. Can be written as 注ぐ as well, but often in kana.
お酒をつぐ
Pour sake (for someone).
Literally 'put in', but commonly used for pouring when the focus is on filling a container, like making coffee or tea.
コーヒーを入れましょうか？
Shall I pour/make some coffee?
To pour a liquid onto a surface or object, such as pouring sauce over food or water over one's head.
Used for pouring or sprinkling a liquid over something. Common with sauces, dressings, or water over oneself.
サラダにドレッシングをかける
Pour dressing over the salad.
頭から水をかける
Pour water over one's head.
To pour liquid out of a container, often to empty it or dispose of it.
To pour dry, granular materials like sugar, salt, or sand.
Describing rain falling heavily.
Noun meaning 'downpour' or 'pouring rain'. Often used with だ/です.
外は土砂降りだ
It's pouring outside.
Literally 'heavy rain falls', a common way to say it's pouring.
大雨が降っている
It's pouring rain.
Onomatopoeic expression for heavy rain, often used in casual speech.
雨がザーザー降っている
The rain is pouring down.
To express feelings or thoughts intensely and without restraint.
注ぐ is the general verb for pouring liquids. つぐ is specifically for serving drinks to someone, often from a shared container. 入れる is 'put in' and is very common for making and pouring hot drinks like coffee or tea, focusing on the preparation. For pouring water into a glass, 注ぐ is best. For pouring a cup of coffee for a guest, 入れる or つぐ are natural.
When pouring a liquid onto something (like sauce on food), use かける, not 注ぐ. 注ぐ implies pouring into a container.
外は土砂降りです。
It's pouring outside.
お茶を注いでいただけますか？
Could you pour me some tea?
彼女は彼に心の内を打ち明けた。
She poured her heart out to him.
Pour water down the sink.
Pour flour into a bowl.