Japanese word

ひく

Pronunciation

Romajihiku

Meaning

  • verbpull

Example

ロープをひきます。rō pu o hi ki ma su

I pull the rope.

Illustration for ひく (pull)

More examples

牛が荷車をひきます。ushi ga ni guruma o hi ki ma su

The cow pulls the cart.

Core concept

Expresses changing the position, amount, shape, or condition of something by drawing it, taking it away, or making it respond to force.

Common phrases

  • そりをひくso ri o hi ku

    pull a sled

  • 荷車をひくni guruma o hi ku

    pull a cart

  • ロープをひくrō pu o hi ku

    pull a rope

Similar words

引っ張るhipparu: To pull something with sustained force, often using both hands or the whole body.
引き寄せるhikiyoseru: To draw something closer to a person or a particular place.
引きずるhikizuru: To pull something along a surface while it remains in contact with it.
たぐるtaguru: To draw in a rope, thread, or similar long object by pulling it repeatedly.

Definition in Japanese

力を加えて物を動かしたり、線を描いたり、数や量を減らしたり、楽器を鳴らしたりする。chikara o kuwa e te mono o ugo ka shi ta ri sen o ega i ta ri kazu ya ryō o he ra shi ta ri gak ki o na ra shi ta ri su ru

Word origin

The verb ひく (hiku) is written 引く (hiku) for meanings based on 引 (in, "pull" or "draw"), linking the basic idea of drawing something toward oneself with several extended uses.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese word ひく (hiku) can appear as 引く (hiku) for pull or subtract and 弾く (hiku) for play, so the kanji helps distinguish meanings that sound alike.

Other meanings

  • drawverb
  • subtractverb
  • playverb
  • knock downverb
  • run oververb

Opposites

Related words

  • 引き方hikikataway of pullingnoun

Word lists with this word