Translation guide
The act of scraping or rubbing a surface, often with nails or a sharp object, to relieve an itch, make a sound, or mark something. This guide covers how to express 'scratching' in Japanese depending on what is being scratched and why.
To relieve an itch by rubbing with nails or fingers.
The most common verb for scratching an itch on your own body. Transitive verb.
蚊に刺されたところをかいた。
I scratched the mosquito bite.
My back itches, so please scratch it.
Kanji form of かく, used in writing. Same meaning.
You must not scratch the eczema.
To scrape a surface with a sharp object, leaving marks or producing a sound.
To scratch and damage a surface, like a cat scratching furniture. Transitive verb.
The cat scratched the sofa.
To scratch and cause damage or injury. More general than 引っかく.
To rub or scrape a surface, often producing a sound. Can be used for scratching noises.
The sound produced by scratching, often described onomatopoeically.
Onomatopoeia for a scratching or scraping sound, like a pen writing or claws on a hard surface.
The dog is scratching the door with a scratching sound.
Onomatopoeia for a lighter scratching sound, like a pencil or small claws.
To remove or cancel something by drawing lines through it.
To deal with only the surface of a problem, not the deeper issues.
The verb かく (掻く) is mainly for scratching an itch on skin. For scratching a surface like furniture, use 引っかく or 傷つける.
かく is for relieving an itch on your body. 引っかく implies scratching and damaging a surface, often with claws or nails.
He scratched the desk in anger.
I accidentally scratched the floor with a nail.
I hate the sound of nails scratching a blackboard.
猫が壁をカリカリしている。
The cat is scratching the wall with a light scratching sound.
The book only scratches the surface of history.