引く
hiku[çi̥kɯ̟]
The Japanese verb for "pull" can be expressed as 引く (hiku) or 引っ張る.
Meaning: transitive: apply force to (something) so it comes towards one (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 引く | hiku | [çi̥kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 引っ張る | hipparu | [çip̚pa̠ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term refers to applying force to something so that it comes toward oneself. To add emphasis to the action and convey the idea of pulling firmly, you can use the informal phrase グイッと引く.
Which one should you use?
While both mean to pull, they are used in different contexts. 引く is used for a single, direct action or a specific mechanism, such as pulling a trigger or a cord. In contrast, 引っ張る implies a more continuous or forceful pulling, often used when dragging something or pulling on someone's limbs or attention.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the past tense of 引く, use 引いた. To express the past tense of 引っ張る, use 引っ張った.
How do you pronounce it?
hiku
Did you know?
- The verb 引く is also used to describe the act of catching a cold, which is 風邪を引く. In this context, the word functions more like 'drawing in' or 'attracting' an illness.
- In a social context, if someone says 人が引いている, they might not mean people are physically pulling away, but rather that people are 'pulling back' in social awkwardness or being 'turned off' by a situation.
- The word 引く is used to describe looking up a word in a dictionary, known as 辞書を引く. It implies pulling a specific piece of information out of a larger source.
Examples in context
- 引っ張るぞ。We're going to pull it.This sentence shows how to use 引っ張る to state an intention to pull.Tatoeba #189983 by small_snow, translation #27139 by CK
- トムには引き金を引く勇気がなかった。Tom didn't have the courage to pull the trigger.This sentence demonstrates using 引く in the context of pulling a trigger.Tatoeba #2912429 by tommy_san, translation #1026388 by CK
- ケモナーが集まるイベントでは耳や尻尾を引っ張る輩がいる。At furry conventions, there are those who pull on ears or tails.This sentence shows an example of using 引っ張る regarding pulling on ears or tails.Tatoeba #9671176 by Sim5634, translation #10616826 by DJ_Saidez
- 引き戸を引いてください。Please pull the sliding door.
- 本を本棚から引き出してください。Please pull the book out from the bookshelf.
- ドアを引っ張ってください。Please pull the door.
- このボタンをグイッと引いてください。Please pull this button firmly.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a heavy door in a shop.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、このドア、引くんですか？A, kono doa, hiku n desu ka?Oh, do I pull this door?
- 健太 Kentaはい、そこを引いてください。Hai, soko o hiite kudasai.Yes, please pull there.
- 陽葵 Himari結構重いですね。Kekkou omoi desu ne.It's quite heavy.
- 健太 Kentaそうですね、しっかり引かないと。Sou desu ne, shikkari hikanai to.True, you have to pull it firmly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pull” translations and entries 引く, 引っ張る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
