Translation guide
The English verb 'attract' covers drawing physical objects together, drawing people's attention or interest, and causing romantic or sexual interest. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions for each of these meanings.
To cause someone to notice or become interested in something
Common verb for attracting attention, interest, or people. Can be used for both positive and negative attention.
その映画は多くの観客を引きつけた。
That movie attracted a large audience.
彼の話し方は人を引きつける。
His way of speaking attracts people.
Literally 'to gather', used when attracting a crowd, attention, or interest. Often used in the form 注目を集める (attract attention).
そのニュースは大きな注目を集めた。
The news attracted a lot of attention.
彼のパフォーマンスは観客を集めた。
His performance attracted an audience.
Often used for attracting interest, curiosity, or sympathy. Common in phrases like 興味を惹く (attract interest).
その本は読者の興味を惹いた。
The book attracted readers' interest.
To fascinate or captivate; stronger than just attracting attention. Implies a deep charm.
彼女の歌声は聴衆を魅了した。
Her singing voice captivated the audience.
To make someone feel romantically or sexually drawn to you
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be attracted to'. The person feeling attraction is the subject, marked by が or は, and the target is marked by に.
彼は彼女に惹かれている。
He is attracted to her.
私は彼の優しさに惹かれた。
I was attracted to his kindness.
Similar to 惹かれる, but often implies being charmed or fascinated. The kanji 魅 suggests a bewitching quality.
Literally 'to come to like', a natural way to express developing romantic attraction.
彼のことを好きになった。
I became attracted to him.
To pull objects toward each other by physical force
To draw or pull something closer. Used for magnets, gravity, and also metaphorically.
磁石は鉄を引き寄せる。
A magnet attracts iron.
Also used for physical attraction, but more common for attention. Can be used for magnets.
English 'attract' in romantic contexts is usually expressed with the passive-like 惹かれる (to be attracted) rather than an active verb. Saying 彼女を惹く (I attract her) sounds unnatural; instead say 彼女は私に惹かれている (She is attracted to me).
引きつける focuses on the pulling force (attention, interest), while 集める focuses on gathering as a result. 注目を集める is a set phrase for attracting attention, but 人を引きつける is more about personal magnetism.
I was attracted by her smile.
磁石が鉄を引きつける。
A magnet attracts iron.