ほじる

also: ほじくる

ほ

じ

る

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

ほじる · godan verb (-ru)

Meanings

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

usually written using kana alonecolloquial

Physical action of poking, digging, or picking at something, often with fingers or a tool. Common with nose, teeth, ears, or dirt.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

pry into; examine closely; dredge up

usually written using kana alonecolloquial

Figurative use: digging into someone's past, secrets, or details in a nosy or persistent way. Often negative.

くじる
ほじる is the more common, everyday word for poking or digging something out, while くじる suggests a more careful or delicate poking motion, as when picking one's teeth.

ほじるUsage37%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 穿る is rare.
ほじくるUsage34%
Alternate colloquial form with a slightly more emphatic or persistent nuance.
穿るUsage29%
rarely-used kanji form
- ほじる
  Rare kanji form; learners should use kana.
- ほじくる

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to 掘る (ほる, 'to dig') with an emphatic or iterative element, but the exact derivation is unclear.