Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pull" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pull", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
けむに巻く
けむにまく (kemunimaku)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
手繰る
たぐる (taguru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pull" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between けむに巻く and 手繰る.
In Japanese, けむに巻く (けむにまく (kemunimaku)) is typically associated with "to pull the wool over someone's eyes; to deceive; to mislead; to confuse" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents An idiom meaning to intentionally confuse or mislead someone, often by speaking vaguely, changing the subject, or presenting a confusing array of facts, so that they cannot grasp the truth or question effectively. Lit. 'to wrap in smoke.'.
On the other hand, 手繰る (たぐる (taguru)) maps to "to pull in, trace" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "pull" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "けむに巻く"
彼は質問にはっきり答えず、けむに巻くのが得意だ。
He's good at confusing people by not answering questions clearly.
Bilingual Context for "手繰る"
毎日、日本語を練習するために手繰る。
Every day, I pull in, trace to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は質問にはっきり答えず、 ＿＿＿ のが得意だ。" (Meaning: "He's good at confusing people by not answering questions clearly.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "けむに巻く" fits here because it means "to pull the wool over someone's eyes; to deceive; to mislead; to confuse" in the context of: "He's good at confusing people by not answering questions clearly.". "手繰る" represents "to pull in, trace".