Translation guide
This guide covers how to express 'pull out' in Japanese, organized by the intended meaning: extracting an object, withdrawing from a situation, pulling a vehicle out, and other uses.
To remove something from inside a container, slot, or enclosed space by pulling.
General verb for pulling something out, such as from a drawer, pocket, or bag. Transitive.
引き出しから書類を引き出した。
I pulled out the documents from the drawer.
To pull out something that is stuck or inserted, like a plug, tooth, or sword. Transitive.
コンセントを抜いてください。
Please pull out the plug.
歯を抜いてもらった。
I had a tooth pulled out.
To take something out, often with a nuance of retrieving it for use. Transitive.
かばんから財布を取り出した。
I pulled out my wallet from my bag.
To pull something out with force or effort, often from a tight or hidden place. Transitive.
押し入れから布団を引っ張り出した。
I pulled out the futon from the closet.
To pull out and remove completely, often used for extracting samples or stealing. Transitive.
封筒から手紙を抜き取った。
I pulled out the letter from the envelope.
To remove oneself or something from a commitment, agreement, or location.
To pull out of a project, business, or relationship; to withdraw one's involvement.
彼はその計画から手を引いた。
He pulled out of the project.
To withdraw or pull out, especially in military or business contexts. Formal.
会社は海外市場から撤退した。
The company pulled out of the overseas market.
To pull out of a competition, race, or candidacy; to step down. Intransitive.
To pull out troops or personnel; to evacuate. Transitive/Intransitive.
To drive a vehicle out of a parking space, driveway, or side road onto a main road.
To pull a car out, often from a garage or parking spot.
車を出して、道路に出た。
I pulled the car out onto the road.
To start moving a vehicle; to pull out into traffic. Intransitive.
彼は注意深く発進した。
He pulled out carefully.
To draw a weapon, such as a gun or knife, from a holster or sheath.
To extract a tooth or remove hair by pulling.
To make a maximum effort; to do everything possible.
To do one's utmost; to pull out all the stops.
彼は試験のために全力を尽くした。
He pulled out all the stops for the exam.
To take every possible measure; to pull out all the stops. Formal.
彼らは問題解決にあらゆる手段を講じた。
They pulled out all the stops to solve the problem.
引き出す (hikidasu) is used for pulling something out of an enclosed space like a drawer. 抜く (nuku) is for pulling out something that is stuck or inserted, like a plug or tooth. 取り出す (toridasu) emphasizes taking something out for use, often from a container.
引き出しから書類を引き出す。
Pull out documents from a drawer.
コンセントを抜く。
Pull out a plug.
かばんから財布を取り出す。
Pull out a wallet from a bag.
Directly translating 'pull out' as 引き出す (hikidasu) in all contexts can sound unnatural. For withdrawing from a situation, use 手を引く (te o hiku) or 撤退する (tettai suru). For pulling out a tooth, use 抜く (nuku).
He pulled out of the election.
軍を引き揚げる決定をした。
They decided to pull out the troops.
犯人は銃を取り出した。
The criminal pulled out a gun.