掘る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: It is read ほる. This verb means to dig into material such as soil or sand, making a hole or uncovering something buried.
• Basic usage: It is used for making a hole in the ground or digging in sand. In the example, the speaker digs with their father to make a small pond.
  • 庭に小さな池を作るため、父と一緒に穴を掘る。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A same-reading verb for carving
  • 掘る means digging into the ground or a similar material, while 彫る, also read ほる, means carving letters, designs, or shapes into a material.