Translation guide
The English word 'draining' can describe physical removal of liquid, gradual loss of energy or resources, or emotional exhaustion. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To cause liquid to flow out of a container, area, or object, such as draining pasta, a battery, or a wound.
Literally 'cut off water', this is the most common way to say 'drain' for food items like pasta or vegetables.
パスタの水を切ってください。
Please drain the pasta.
Formal/technical term for draining water from an area or system, like a pool or construction site.
プールの水を排水する。
Drain the pool.
To let liquid flow out, often used for draining a bathtub or sink.
お風呂の水を流す。
Drain the bath.
Short for 水を切る, used in cooking contexts when the liquid is understood.
豆腐の水を切る。
Drain the tofu.
To cause something like a battery, money, or strength to be used up slowly.
Means to consume or exhaust resources, energy, or stamina. Works for batteries, physical strength, etc.
スマホのバッテリーを消耗するアプリ。
An app that drains your smartphone battery.
To reduce or deplete something like savings or energy. Less intense than 消耗する.
貯金を減らす出費。
Expenses that drain your savings.
Literally 'to rob', used figuratively for draining energy or vitality.
Describing a situation or person that leaves you feeling tired and depleted emotionally.
The most common way to say something is tiring or draining. Can be used for both physical and emotional fatigue.
人付き合いは疲れる。
Socializing is draining.
Specifies mental or emotional fatigue, making it clearer than just 疲れる.
その仕事は精神的に疲れる。
That job is mentally draining.
Literally 'to have one's energy stolen', a stronger expression for something that drains your willpower.
長い会議で気力を奪われた。
I felt drained after the long meeting.
Direct translations like 「ドレインする」 are not used in Japanese. Use 疲れる or 消耗する instead.
The heat drains your strength.