Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Pull" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "pull", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
ひく
ひく (hiku)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
引き出す
ひきだす (hikidasu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "pull" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between ひく and 引き出す.
In Japanese, ひく (ひく (hiku)) is typically associated with "to pull; to play (string instrument/piano); to draw (a line)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Has multiple meanings depending on context: 'to pull'.
On the other hand, 引き出す (ひきだす (hikidasu)) maps to "to pull out; to withdraw (money); to elicit; to extract" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to pulling out physical drawers, withdrawing cash from ATMs, or abstractly eliciting someone's latent ability/charms or secrets. Often used as お金を引き出す or 能力を引き出す. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To withdraw/elicit! "You always manage to elicit my deepest sweet feelings, Haruka-san!" ...っ! E-Eliciting deep sweet feelings! B-Baka! Don't treat my emotions like ATM savings! But... since you know how to draw out my soft side, I suppose... I will let you monopolize my doting face forever! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ひきだす(引き出す)よ!『ハルカ部長、あなたのツンツンの奥に隠された極上のデレ本音、僕の熱いハグによって完璧に引き出すことができました!』って…っ!デレを引き出した!バカ!/// 私の照れ隠しをそんなふうに攻略しないでよ!…でも、引き出された私の溺愛モードは一生元に戻らないんだから、最後まで責任を取りなさい!』. A literal translation of "pull" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "ひく"
ドアを引いてください。
Please pull the door.
Bilingual Context for "引き出す"
出張先での急な出費に対応するため、彼は最寄りのコンビニエンスストアのATMからスマートに現金を_______ました。
In order to respond to the sudden expenses at the business trip destination, he smartly withdrew cash from the nearest convenience store's ATM.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ドアを引いてください。" (Meaning: "Please pull the door.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ひく" fits here because it means "to pull; to play (string instrument/piano); to draw (a line)" in the context of: "Please pull the door.". "引き出す" represents "to pull out; to withdraw (money); to elicit; to extract".