“To pull” in Japanese is 引く (ひく), pronounced hiku.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To pull, and also to catch a cold: 風邪を引く. Look for 引く on doors.
Example sentences
- ドアを引いてください。ドアをひいてください。Please pull the door.
- 風邪を引きました。かぜをひきました。I caught a cold.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 引く. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 引く ひく | pull |
| Polite present | 引きます ひきます | pull |
| Polite negative | 引きません ひきません | don’t pull |
| Polite past | 引きました ひきました | past of “pull” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 引かない ひかない | don’t pull (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 引いた ひいた | past of “pull” (casual) |
| て-form | 引いて ひいて | pull and… / please pull (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 引きたい ひきたい | want to pull |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
運転するto drive踊るto danceあるto exist (things)いるto exist (people & animals)食べるto eat飲むto drink行くto go来るto come
FAQ
How do you say to pull in Japanese?
To pull in Japanese is 引く (ひく), pronounced “hiku”.
How do you write to pull in Japanese?
It's written 引く with kanji, or ひく in hiragana. Both are read hiku.
Is 引く on the JLPT?
Yes. 引く (hiku) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.