掘
KANJI DETAIL
dig
On readingくつ11 strokesN3
Radical 手 · handStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 掘.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- くつ
- Kun reading
- ほる
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: 掘 has 11 strokes and the on-reading くつ. 掘る (ほる) means to dig; 採掘 (さいくつ) concerns extracting minerals and similar resources.
- Basic usage: 掘る covers digging holes or ground broadly, while 採掘 focuses on obtaining resources.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- What is dug and what is extracted
- 穴を掘る means to make a hole; 砂浜を掘る means to dig in the sand. Context distinguishes the result created from the place being dug.
- 鉱石を採掘する describes extracting ore.