Translation guide
The English verb 'scrape' covers several distinct actions: removing material from a surface, rubbing against something causing damage, barely passing or succeeding, and collecting data or information with difficulty. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by these practical meanings.
To remove something by rubbing a hard or sharp tool against a surface, or to clean a surface this way.
General verb for scraping, shaving, or whittling away material. Can be used for wood, metal, ice, etc.
I scrape ice to make shaved ice.
To rub or scrub a surface to remove something, often with a cloth or brush. Implies friction.
I scrape the burnt bits off the pot with a scrubbing brush.
To scrape off something stuck on a surface using a tool or fingernail. Slightly more forceful than こする.
I scrape off the gum stuck to the floor.
To accidentally rub against a surface causing scratches, injury, or damage.
To rub or scrape against something, often causing a scratch or abrasion. Can be used for skin, car paint, etc.
I fell and scraped my knee.
Also used for rubbing that causes damage, but more often implies intentional rubbing. Context distinguishes.
Specifically for scraping skin, like a graze or abrasion. Often used for injuries.
To just manage to pass a test, get by, or achieve something with minimal margin.
To barely pass an exam or test. ぎりぎり means 'just barely'.
I scraped through the exam.
To manage to do something with difficulty, barely. More formal/literary than ぎりぎり.
I barely scraped together the deadline.
To manage somehow, to scrape by. Very common in spoken Japanese.
I'm scraping by on living expenses.
To gather information, money, or resources little by little, often with effort.
To scrape together, gather up from various sources. Used for money, people, information.
I scraped together funds and started a business.
To collect data or information, often systematically. Can be used for web scraping in technical contexts.
I scrape data from websites.
Direct loanword for web scraping. Used in IT contexts.
I do web scraping with Python.
削る (けずる) is for shaving material like wood or ice. For scraping your knee, use 擦る (する) or 擦りむく (すりむく). Using 削る for skin sounds like you're whittling your body.
擦る (する) often implies accidental contact causing damage, while こする implies intentional rubbing to clean or remove something. However, こする can also be used for accidental scraping (e.g., car against wall). Context is key.
I scraped the car against the wall and it got scratched.
The child fell and scraped their knee.