Translation guide
The English word "scoop" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most useful ones for learners: a utensil for serving, an amount taken with that utensil, a news exclusive, and the action of lifting or gathering. It also notes when a direct translation is unnatural.
A tool for serving soft or loose food (ice cream, flour, etc.)
Common loanword for an ice cream scoop or similar serving utensil. Widely understood.
アイスクリーム用のスクープを買った。
I bought an ice cream scoop.
A flat rice paddle, used for serving rice. Not a 'scoop' in the Western sense, but the closest traditional tool for scooping rice.
ご飯をしゃもじでよそう。
I serve rice with a rice paddle.
A shovel or spade, sometimes used for scooping sand or soil. Not for food.
砂場でスコップを使う。
Use a scoop in the sandbox.
A portion or amount taken with a scoop, often in recipes or serving sizes.
Counter for cupfuls or scoopfuls. Attach to a number. For ice cream, '１杯' means one scoop.
アイスを２杯ください。
Two scoops of ice cream, please.
One scoopful, often used for loose ingredients like flour or sugar. More general than the counter.
小麦粉をひとすくい加える。
Add one scoop of flour.
A news story published by one outlet before others; an exclusive.
Direct loanword for a news scoop or exclusive story. Very common in media contexts.
その新聞が大きなスクープを報じた。
The newspaper reported a big scoop.
Colloquial term for an exclusive news item, often used in journalism. Slightly more casual than スクープ.
To lift or gather something with a scooping motion, often with a tool or hands.
General verb for scooping up liquids, powders, or small objects. Can be used with hands or tools.
スプーンでスープをすくう。
Scoop soup with a spoon.
彼は水を手ですくった。
He scooped up water with his hands.
To scoop up and lift, emphasizing the upward motion. Often used for rescuing or retrieving something from a liquid.
While スクープ is common for ice cream scoops and news exclusives, it is not used for the action of scooping. Use すくう for the verb.
スプーンですくう。
Scoop with a spoon.
彼は特ダネを掴んだ。
He got a scoop.
網で魚をすくい上げる。
Scoop up fish with a net.
To scrape together or scoop up a large amount hastily, often with a sense of gathering everything. Used for money, information, or loose material.
彼は落ち葉をかき集めた。
He scooped up the fallen leaves.