Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
かいくぐる Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
slip through ; slip past ; evade
usually written using kana alone
Used for physically slipping through a narrow gap, crowd, or obstacle, and figuratively for evading difficulties, regulations, or pursuers. Often implies agile or clever movement.
彼かれ
は
厳きび
しい
チェック
を
かいくぐっ
て
入にゅう
国こく
し
た
。
He evaded the strict checks and entered the country.
Written forms かいくぐる Usage 91%
Usually written in kana. The kanji spelling 掻い潜る exists but is less common.
かい 潜くぐ る Usage 5%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not standard.
搔か い 潜くぐ る Usage 4%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form with old variant 搔; not standard.
掻か い 潜くぐ る
Kanji spelling; encountered but less frequent than kana.
Similar words すり 抜ぬ ける すり抜ける also means 'to slip through' but is more common and neutral. かいくぐる often implies a more deliberate, skillful, or evasive action.
くぐる くぐる means 'to pass under/through' in a straightforward physical sense. かいくぐる adds a nuance of pushing through or evading.
Etymology Compound of 掻い (kai, prefix adding emphasis or 'pushing through') + 潜る (kuguru, 'to go under/through'). The prefix 掻い is related to 掻く (kaku, 'to scratch/push aside').
