Meaning and Usage
The verb 拾う (ひろう) primarily means "to pick up" something from the ground or a surface. It is commonly used when you physically pick up objects like trash, money, or dropped items. It can also mean "to find" something unexpectedly.
Common Collocations
- 財布を拾う (さいふをひろう): to pick up a wallet
- ゴミを拾う (ごみをひろう): to pick up trash
- 落としたものを拾う (おとしたものをひろう): to pick up something dropped
These collocations are frequent in everyday conversation, especially when talking about helping others or cleaning up.
Register and Politeness
拾う is a neutral verb and can be used in casual and polite contexts. For polite speech, use 拾います (ひろいます).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 拾う with 捨てる (すてる, "to throw away"). Remember, 拾う means to take something up, while 捨てる means to discard it.
Summary
Use 拾う when you want to express picking up or finding something physically. It is a useful verb for daily situations involving objects on the ground or unexpected finds.