Translation guide
The English word 'suck' has several distinct meanings: to draw in liquid or air with the mouth, to be of poor quality (slang), to be unpleasant or disappointing (slang), and to pull something into a vacuum or current. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
Expressing the physical action of sucking, such as drinking through a straw, sucking a sweet, or sucking in air.
The most common verb for 'suck', used for drawing in air, liquid, or smoke. Can be used for drinking through a straw, sucking on a candy, or inhaling.
I suck juice through a straw.
He took a deep drag on his cigarette.
Means to suck on something by holding it in the mouth and licking or moving the tongue, like a child sucking a thumb or a candy. More specific than 吸う.
The baby is sucking its thumb.
Literally 'suck in', used for inhaling deeply or drawing something into the mouth or a machine. Emphasizes the inward motion.
I sucked in the fresh air.
Means 'to lick', but can be used for sucking on a candy or ice cream in a licking manner. Not a direct translation of 'suck'.
Only use when the action involves licking rather than true suction.
I lick (or suck on) the ice cream.
Expressing that something is bad, low-quality, or unsatisfactory, as in 'This movie sucks.'
An adjective meaning 'terrible' or 'awful'. Commonly used to say something sucks in a general sense.
This movie sucks, doesn't it?
Literally 'the lowest', used to mean something is the worst or sucks. Stronger than ひどい.
Means 'no good' or 'useless'. Can be used to say something sucks, especially in terms of functionality or quality.
A vulgar slang term literally meaning 'shit'. Used like 'sucks' but very crude. Only appropriate among close friends or in rough speech.
Vulgar; avoid in polite conversation.
Expressing that a situation is unfortunate, disappointing, or makes one feel bad, as in 'It sucks that you're sick.'
Means 'unfortunate' or 'too bad'. A polite and common way to express that something sucks in a disappointing sense.
I heard you're sick? That sucks.
Means 'tough' or 'painful'. Used when a situation is emotionally or physically hard, similar to 'this sucks'.
Means 'the worst'. Can be used to describe a sucky situation, similar to 最低 but often for circumstances.
Describing a force that draws objects in, like a vacuum cleaner or a whirlpool.
The English slang 'suck' does not translate directly to 吸う. Using 吸う to mean 'is bad' will cause confusion. Use adjectives like ひどい or 最低 instead.
This movie sucks. (Incorrect)
吸う is general sucking (straw, air, cigarette). しゃぶる implies holding in the mouth and licking/sucking like a child with a thumb or candy. Do not use しゃぶる for drinking through a straw.
This vacuum cleaner sucks well.
My job sucks.
あのレストラン、最低だった。
That restaurant sucked.
This computer sucks.
このゲーム、クソだな。
This game sucks, man.
Working overtime every day sucks.
雨でピクニックが中止？最悪。
The picnic is canceled because of rain? That sucks.
この機械が水分を吸い取る。
This machine sucks out the moisture.