Meaning and Usage
The verb 掘る (ほる) primarily means "to dig" or "to excavate." It is used when physically digging into the ground or other materials. This can be for gardening, construction, archaeology, or other purposes involving digging.
Common Contexts
- Digging holes for planting or construction.
- Archaeological excavation.
- Digging tunnels or trenches.
Collocations and Patterns
- 穴を掘る (あなをほる): to dig a hole.
- 遺跡を掘る (いせきをほる): to excavate ruins.
- 地下に掘る (ちかにほる): to dig underground.
Register and Nuance
掘る is a neutral verb used in both casual and formal contexts. It is a straightforward action verb without special politeness levels. When used metaphorically, it can mean "to dig into" a topic or information, but this is less common.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 掘る with 探る (さぐる), which means "to search" or "to feel around." Remember 掘る involves physical digging, while 探る is more about searching or exploring non-physical things.