1.
to pluck, to pick
To remove something by pinching with fingers.
花を摘む。
To pick flowers.
庭でいちごを摘んだ。
I picked strawberries in the garden.
春になると、子供たちは野原で草を摘んで遊ぶ。
When spring comes, children play by picking wild plants in the fields.
茶を摘む季節になると、畑は緑でいっぱいになる。
When the tea-picking season comes, the fields are full of green.
朝早く起きて、露がついたままの花を一つずつ丁寧に摘んだ。
I got up early in the morning and carefully picked the flowers one by one while they still had dew on them.
2.
to trim, to nip
To cut off the tips of plants.
芽を摘む。
To nip buds.
枝の先を摘んで整える。
To trim the tips of branches to tidy up.
トマトの脇芽を摘まないと、実が小さくなる。
If you don't pinch off the side shoots of tomatoes, the fruit will be small.
花が咲く前に余分なつぼみを摘んでおくと、残った花が大きく咲く。
If you pinch off the extra buds before they bloom, the remaining flowers will bloom larger.
問題の芽は早めに摘んでおいたほうがいい。
It's better to nip problems in the bud early.
Figurative use of 芽を摘む
摘む is a godan verb meaning to pluck or pick with the fingers.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を particle: 〜を摘む
ASPECT (ている):
摘んでいる describes the ongoing action of picking.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 花を摘む: to pick flowers
- 茶を摘む: to pick tea leaves
- 芽を摘む: to nip buds / nip in the bud (also figurative)
- いちごを摘む: to pick strawberries
KANJI DISTINCTION (same reading):
- 摘む: to pluck, pick
- 積む: to pile up, stack
- 詰む: to be stuck, checkmated