Translation guide
The English verb "pull" covers many physical actions and abstract meanings. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being pulled, how, and why. This guide organizes the most common and useful equivalents for learners.
To draw an object closer by exerting force, often with hands.
The most general verb for pulling something toward you or in a direction. Can be used for pulling a rope, a cart, a drawer, etc.
ロープを引いてください。
Please pull the rope.
彼女は私の手を引いた。
She pulled my hand.
Emphasizes a stronger or more sustained pulling action. Often used for tugging or dragging.
子供が私の服を引っ張った。
The child pulled on my clothes.
To remove something from a container, slot, or fixed position.
Used for pulling something out of a tight fit, like a tooth, a plug, or a sword.
歯を抜いてもらった。
I had a tooth pulled.
コンセントを抜いてください。
Please pull out the plug.
Literally 'pull out', often used for drawers or for bringing out potential/talent.
To slide or draw something like a door, curtain, or screen.
Used for sliding doors (shoji, fusuma) and curtains. Often combined with direction.
カーテンを引いて閉めた。
I pulled the curtain closed.
To tow or draw a vehicle behind.
General term for towing or pulling a trailer, cart, etc.
トラックがトレーラーを引いている。
The truck is pulling a trailer.
Formal/technical term for towing, often used in official contexts.
故障車を牽引する。
To pull a broken-down car.
To operate a mechanism by pulling.
To strain or injure a muscle by overstretching.
To use one's influence or connections to achieve something.
Literally 'to turn one's hand', meaning to pull strings behind the scenes.
彼が手を回してくれたおかげで、早く手続きができた。
Thanks to him pulling strings, the procedure went quickly.
Uses the loanword 'kone' (connection) to mean using connections or pull.
彼はコネを使ってその仕事を得た。
He pulled strings to get the job.
To move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop.
Standard phrase for pulling over to the shoulder.
警察に車を路肩に寄せるように言われた。
The police told me to pull over.
Simply 'to stop the car', but can be used in context of pulling over.
次の出口で停車してください。
Please pull over at the next exit.
While 引く is the general verb for pull, it is not used for pulling a muscle. Use 筋を違える or 肉離れ instead.
筋を違えた。
I pulled a muscle.
引く is the basic verb for pulling. 引っ張る implies a stronger, more forceful, or continuous pulling action. Use 引っ張る when you want to emphasize tugging or dragging.
ロープを引く (neutral pull) vs. ロープを引っ張る (tug on the rope)
pull the rope vs. tug on the rope
ドアを引いて閉めてもらえますか？
Could you pull the door shut?
彼は私に銃を突きつけた。
He pulled a gun on me.
Not literally 'pull', but the natural Japanese equivalent for this phrase.
引き出しを引き出した。
I pulled out the drawer.