こぐ

Alternative writings: 漕ぐ
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

To row or paddle (a boat) using oars; to scull.

U-VerbTransitive VerbUsually Kana

Examples

朝早くから友人と川をボートで漕いだ。

Early in the morning I rowed a boat on the river with my friend.

オールを一生懸命漕いで港へ向かった。

We rowed hard with the oars toward the harbor.

2

To pedal (a bicycle) — to push the pedals to move forward.

U-VerbTransitive VerbUsually Kana

Examples

坂道を自転車でこぐのは大変だ。

Pedaling a bicycle up a hill is hard work.

彼は毎日学校まで自転車をこいでいる。

He pedals his bike to school every day.

3

To swing (on a swing), i.e., to pump one's legs/body to make a swing move.

U-VerbTransitive VerbUsually Kana

Examples

子どもたちが公園でブランコをこいで遊んでいる。

Children are swinging on the swings at the park.

勢いよくブランコをこいで遠くまで飛んだ気分になった。

I pumped the swing hard and felt like I was flying far.

4

To operate a hand pump or similar device (to work a pump by pumping action).

U-VerbTransitive VerbUsually Kana

Examples

井戸のポンプをこいで水を汲んだ。

I pumped the well to draw water.

古いポンプを何度もこいで空気を入れた。

I worked the old pump repeatedly to pump in air.

5

To push through something (like thick brush or deep snow); to make one's way by forcing through resistance.

U-VerbTransitive VerbUsually Kana

Examples

深い雪を漕いで駅までたどり着いた。

I made my way through the deep snow and reached the station.

藪を漕いで進むのは大変だった。

It was hard work pushing through the thicket.

Word Relationships

Derivations
Masu-Formこぎます
Nai-Formこがない
Ta-Formこいだ
Te-Formこいで
Ba-Formこげば
Volitional Formこごう
Imperative Formこげ
Potential Formこげる
Passive Formこがれる
Causative Formこがせる
Causative Passive Formこがせられる