Translation guide
The concept of suction in English covers both the physical force and devices that use it. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you mean the force itself, the act of sucking, or a suction cup.
The force that pulls something into a space by reducing pressure, or the process of sucking something in.
General term for suction, often used in technical, medical, or mechanical contexts. Can refer to the act of sucking in air, liquid, or objects.
The vacuum cleaner's suction has weakened.
Use a medical suction device.
Refers to the act of sucking in or the intake side of a pump. Common in everyday descriptions of vacuum cleaners or air intakes.
This vacuum cleaner has strong suction.
Specifically refers to air intake or suction of air, often used in engineering contexts like engines.
Improve the engine's air intake efficiency.
A device that sticks to surfaces using suction.
The standard word for a suction cup, used for hooks, toys, or industrial pads.
Attach a hook to the mirror with a suction cup.
The action of drawing something into the mouth by creating a partial vacuum.
Also used for oral suction, especially in medical contexts (e.g., suctioning a patient's airway).
Suction the patient's oral cavity.
A more general phrase meaning 'the act of sucking'. Use when 'suction' is used informally for sucking.
Drink juice by suction through a straw.
Both can translate 'suction', but 吸引 is broader and more formal/technical. 吸い込み is more concrete and often used for the suction power of a vacuum cleaner or the intake side of a pump.
吸盤 means 'suction cup', not the force of suction. Saying 吸盤が強い would mean 'the suction cup is strong', not 'the suction is strong'.
An octopus has suction cups on its tentacles.