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.
Please pull the rope.
She pulled my hand.
Emphasizes a stronger or more sustained pulling action. Often used for tugging or dragging.
The child pulled on my clothes.
To remove something from a container, slot, or fixed position.
To slide or draw something like a door, curtain, or screen.
Used for sliding doors (shoji, fusuma) and curtains. Often combined with direction.
I pulled the curtain closed.
To tow or draw a vehicle behind.
To operate a mechanism by pulling.
To strain or injure a muscle by overstretching.
To use one's influence or connections to achieve something.
To move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop.
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.
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.
pull the rope vs. tug on the rope
Could you pull the door shut?
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.
I pulled a muscle (tore a muscle).