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.
That movie attracted a large audience.
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).
The news attracted a lot of attention.
His performance attracted an audience.
Often used for attracting interest, curiosity, or sympathy. Common in phrases like 興味を惹く (attract interest).
The book attracted readers' interest.
To fascinate or captivate; stronger than just attracting attention. Implies a deep charm.
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.
He is attracted to her.
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.
I became attracted to him.
To pull objects toward each other by physical force
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.
A magnet attracts iron.