1.
to pour
To cause liquid to flow into a container.
お茶を注ぐ。
To pour tea.
コップに水を注いだ。
I poured water into a glass.
熱いお湯をカップに注いで紅茶を入れた。
I poured hot water into the cup and made tea.
2.
to flow into
For a river to empty into a larger body of water.
川が海に注ぐ。
The river flows into the sea.
小さな川が湖に注いでいる。
A small river flows into the lake.
この川は山から流れて太平洋に注ぐ。
This river flows from the mountains and empties into the Pacific Ocean.
3.
to devote, to concentrate
To direct attention or effort toward something.
愛情を注ぐ。
To devote love to.
子供に愛情を注いで育てる。
To raise children by pouring love into them.
研究に全力を注いだ結果、大きな成果を上げた。
As a result of devoting all their energy to research, they achieved great results.
注ぐ is a godan verb with both literal (pouring) and figurative (devoting) meanings.
TRANSITIVITY:
Can be both transitive and intransitive depending on usage:
- Transitive: お茶を注ぐ (to pour tea)
- Intransitive: 川が海に注ぐ (river flows into sea)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- お茶を注ぐ: to pour tea
- 水を注ぐ: to pour water
- 愛情を注ぐ: to pour love into, to devote love
- 力を注ぐ: to devote effort
- 注目を注ぐ: to direct attention to
COMPOUND VERB:
- 注ぎ込む: to pour into (emphasizes thoroughness)