1.
to grind, to mill
To crush or grind something into smaller pieces or powder using a mill, grinder, or similar tool. Most commonly used for coffee beans, pepper, and meat.
コーヒー豆を挽く。
To grind coffee beans.
挽きたてのコーヒーは香りがいい。
Freshly ground coffee has a great aroma.
肉を挽いてハンバーグを作った。
I ground the meat and made hamburger patties.
挽く specifically means to grind food items. It shares the reading ひく with 引く (to pull) and 弾く (to play an instrument), but these are different words with different kanji.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- コーヒーを挽く: to grind coffee
- 豆を挽く: to grind beans
- 肉を挽く: to mince meat
- コショウを挽く: to grind pepper
- 挽き肉: ground meat, minced meat
- 挽きたて: freshly ground
- 粗挽き: coarsely ground
NOTE: The compound 挽き肉 (ground meat) is one of the most common words using this kanji. It appears on supermarket labels throughout Japan.