すくい上げる

• Reading: すくいあげる
• Romaji: sukuiageru
• Kanji breakdown: 上 (age) — to lift, raise
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.kɯ.i.a.ɡe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To scoop up; to rescue; to pick up. To lift something out of a lower position, physically or figuratively.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb combining すくう (to scoop, ladle) and 上げる (to raise, lift). すくい上げる describes scooping something out of water or a container, and extends to rescuing someone from difficulty or misfortune. The figurative sense — 見落とされた声をすくい上げる (picking up overlooked voices), 失業者をすくい上げる (rescuing the unemployed) — is common in social and political commentary.

Examples

1. 金魚すくいで金魚を上手にすくい上げられなくて、子どもが泣き出してしまった。 Unable to scoop up the goldfish at the festival game, the child burst into tears.
2. 社会から取り残された人々の声をすくい上げることが政治家の本来の役目だ。 Picking up the voices of those left behind by society is what politicians are fundamentally there to do.
3. 溺れかけた子猫を池からすくい上げ、タオルで丁寧に包んでやった。 She scooped the drowning kitten out of the pond and wrapped it carefully in a towel.

Usage Guide

Context: rescue, social issues, daily life, politics

Tone: neutral to warm

Origin & History

Compound of すくう (suku-u — to scoop up, from Old Japanese) and 上げる (age-ru — to raise, lift). すくう itself derives from an ancient root for scooping with cupped hands. The upward component 上げる intensifies the lifting action.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal