Translation guide
How to express the action of lifting something quickly, often with a cupped hand or tool, or gathering things in one motion.
To pick up something small or loose using a scooping motion, like with your hand, a spoon, or a shovel.
The most common verb for scooping up liquids, sand, or small objects with a cupped hand or tool.
He scooped up some water with his hands.
Please scoop up the soup with a spoon.
Emphasizes lifting something up after scooping, often used for rescuing or lifting out of water.
He scooped up the ball that had fallen into the pond.
To scrape or rake together and scoop up, often used for gathering scattered things in a hurry.
He scooped up the fallen coins.
To lift someone or something swiftly, often in one smooth motion, like picking up a child or grabbing an item.
To gather things together quickly, often with a sweeping motion, like collecting papers or winnings.
すくう is used for scooping with a cupped hand or tool, like water or sand. 拾い上げる is for picking up solid objects from a surface. Use すくう for liquids and granular things, and 拾い上げる for discrete items like a book or a coin.
English 'scoop up' can be used figuratively (e.g., 'scoop up a bargain'). Japanese equivalents are usually physical. For figurative uses, consider 手に入れる (てにいれる) or 獲得する (かくとくする).
To pick up something from the ground or a surface, often quickly.
He scooped up the book from the floor.
She scooped up the documents and put them in her bag.