Translation guide
To pull something or someone along, often with difficulty or against their will. Can be literal (physically pulling an object) or figurative (bringing up old issues, forcing someone to go somewhere).
To pull a heavy or unwieldy object from one place to another, often with effort.
The most common and versatile verb for dragging something along the ground or floor. Can be used for objects or people.
重いスーツケースを引きずって駅まで歩いた。
I dragged my heavy suitcase to the station.
彼は足を引きずりながら歩いている。
He is walking while dragging his leg.
Implies dragging something around in a rough or forceful manner, often in a circular or back-and-forth motion.
犬がおもちゃを部屋中引き回している。
The dog is dragging its toy around the room.
A more emphatic or violent version of 引き回す, often used when someone is dragged around against their will.
酔っ払いが通行人を引き摺り回した。
The drunkard dragged a passerby around.
To make someone accompany you to various places, often against their will or with reluctance.
Specifically means to take someone around to different places, often implying they are unwilling or it's a hassle.
彼女は私を買い物に連れ回した。
She dragged me around shopping.
To keep talking about or dwelling on something from the past, often negative, making it last longer than necessary.
Figuratively means to drag something along, like old feelings, grudges, or problems. Very common.
いつまでも過去の失敗を引きずってはいけない。
You shouldn't drag around past failures forever.
彼はまだ元カノを引きずっている。
He's still hung up on his ex-girlfriend. (lit. dragging around his ex)
Means to prolong or drag out a situation, meeting, or problem. Focuses on making something last longer.
会議を必要以上に長引かせないでください。
Please don't drag the meeting out longer than necessary.
To move an icon, file, or element on a computer or phone screen by clicking and holding while moving the cursor or finger.
The standard loanword for the computer action 'drag'. Used with を.
ファイルをフォルダにドラッグしてください。
Please drag the file into the folder.
The full phrase 'drag and drop', often used as a noun or suru-verb.
このアプリではドラッグアンドドロップで並べ替えができます。
In this app, you can rearrange by dragging and dropping.
引きずる is for dragging objects or abstract things (feelings, past). 連れ回す is specifically for taking a person around to places, often unwillingly. Don't use 引きずる for taking a friend shopping unless you physically pull them.
English 'drag around' can be split into different Japanese verbs depending on what is being dragged and how. Avoid directly translating 'around' as 周り (まわり) in most cases; the nuance is often included in the verb itself (e.g., 引き回す, 連れ回す).
Can also be used for people, emphasizing physical force or strong coercion.
彼は弟を無理やり引きずり回した。
He dragged his younger brother around by force.