Translation guide
The English phrase "thin out" can refer to reducing density in various contexts, such as plants, hair, crowds, or substances. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To remove some plants so the remaining ones have more space to grow.
The standard verb for thinning out plants or seedlings. It literally means 'pull between'.
大根の芽を間引いた。
I thinned out the radish sprouts.
The noun form of 間引く, used for the act of thinning plants.
間引きをしないと、野菜が大きく育たない。
If you don't thin them out, the vegetables won't grow big.
To make hair less thick, often by cutting or using thinning shears.
Common verb used by hairdressers to mean 'thin out' hair. It implies reducing volume.
髪の量をすいてください。
Please thin out my hair.
Literally 'make hair lighter', often used to describe thinning out hair to reduce weight and volume.
髪を軽くしてもらえますか？
Can you thin out my hair a bit?
To make a crowd or group less dense by removing some members.
Can be used metaphorically for thinning out people or things, though it may sound somewhat deliberate or systematic.
観客を間引いて入場させた。
They thinned out the audience before letting them in.
A general phrase meaning 'reduce the number', suitable for thinning out any group.
参加者の数を減らして、密を避けた。
We thinned out the number of participants to avoid crowding.
To make a liquid less concentrated by adding water or another solvent.
The standard verb for diluting liquids. Note: this is not the same kanji as 'thin out' but is the natural equivalent.
このソースは水で薄めて使ってください。
Please thin out this sauce with water before using.
Often used for thinning out paint, ink, or similar substances by adding solvent.
To cut down some trees to improve the health of the forest.
Technical term for thinning a forest. Used in forestry contexts.
森を間伐して、日当たりを良くした。
We thinned out the forest to let in more sunlight.
Can also be used for trees, though 間伐 is more precise for forestry.
杉の木を間引いた。
I thinned out the cedar trees.
The English word 'thin' can mean slim (痩せている), but 'thin out' is about reducing density. Do not use 痩せる for thinning out objects or groups.
間引く is for solid objects/plants/people (reducing number), while 薄める is for liquids (reducing concentration). Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
Thin out the paint with water.