godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
fish; gather seafood
Original meaning: to gather fish or shellfish by hand or with simple tools. Now somewhat literary or poetic; modern everyday 'fishing' is usually 釣る or 漁をする.
浜辺で貝を漁る子供たち。
Children gathering shellfish on the beach.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
scavenge; rummage; hunt for
Only with reading あさる
Common modern use: searching through something (trash, shelves, pockets, etc.) to find something useful or desired. Often implies a slightly messy or desperate search.
彼はゴミ箱を漁って、まだ使える部品を探した。
He rummaged through the trash can looking for parts that could still be used.
古本屋で面白い本を漁るのが好きだ。
I like hunting for interesting books at secondhand bookstores.
auxiliary verb, godan verb (-ru)
binge on; go on a spree of
Only with reading あさる
Attaches to the continuative form of another verb (e.g., 買い漁る, 読み漁る) to mean doing that action excessively or indiscriminately. Often translated as 'binge-verb' or 'verb like crazy'.
週末にネットで服を買い漁った。
I went on a clothes-buying spree online over the weekend.
彼は図書館で推理小説を読み漁っている。
He's binge-reading mystery novels at the library.