also: くる
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Physical action of digging or cutting into something to remove material, often with force. Used for carving out wood, gouging eyes, or scooping out flesh.
ナイフで木をえぐって穴を開けた。
I gouged a hole in the wood with a knife.
彼はスプーンでメロンの種をえぐり出した。
He scooped out the melon seeds with a spoon.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
cause emotional pain; cut deep; wrench
Only with reading えぐる
Metaphorical use: words or events that deeply hurt someone emotionally, as if gouging the heart. Often used with 心, 胸, or 気持ち.
彼の無神経な言葉が私の心をえぐった。
His insensitive words cut deep into my heart.
その映画の悲しいシーンは観客の胸をえぐった。
The sad scene in that movie wrenched the audience's hearts.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
get to the bottom of; expose the truth; dig into
Only with reading えぐる
Figurative use: relentlessly pursuing the truth, exposing hidden facts, or asking probing questions. Often used in journalism or investigation contexts.
記者は政治家の汚職をえぐるような質問をした。
The reporter asked questions that dug into the politician's corruption.
このドキュメンタリーは事件の真相をえぐり出している。
This documentary exposes the truth of the incident.