Meaning and Usage
The verb 汲む (くむ) primarily means "to draw or scoop water," often from a well, bucket, or other container. It is a common verb used in everyday contexts involving fetching water.
Besides the literal meaning, 汲む is also used figuratively to mean "to understand or sympathize with someone's feelings or intentions." This usage is common in conversational and written Japanese when expressing empathy or consideration.
Common Collocations and Patterns
- 井戸から水を汲む: drawing water from a well (literal use)
- 気持ちを汲む: to understand or sympathize with someone's feelings (figurative use)
- バケツに水を汲む: to scoop water into a bucket
Register and Nuance
汲む is a neutral verb suitable for both casual and polite contexts, depending on the sentence structure. The figurative use often appears in more thoughtful or empathetic conversations.
Learner Tips
A common confusion is mixing 汲む with 採る (とる) or 取る (とる), which also mean "to take" but are not used for drawing water. Remember, 汲む specifically relates to scooping or drawing liquids or figuratively "drawing out" feelings or intentions.