吸
suck, imbibe, inhale, sip
Readings
On'yomi
- キュウ
Kun'yomi
- す.う
Meaning
吸 centers on drawing something inward, typically with the mouth: sucking, inhaling, sipping, or absorbing liquid.
Most common words using 吸
20 of 169- 吸うすうN5
to breathe in; to inhale; to smoke (a cigarette, etc.)
- 吸収きゅうしゅうN3
absorption; suction; attraction
- 呼吸こきゅうN3
breathing; respiration
- 吸血鬼きゅうけつき
vampire; bloodsucker
- 吸引きゅういん
absorption; suction; aspiration
- 深呼吸しんこきゅう
deep breath
- 吸入きゅうにゅう
inhalation
- 吸着きゅうちゃく
adsorption
- 吸血きゅうけつ
bloodsucking; sucking blood
- 吸気きゅうき
inhalation (of air); inhaled air
- 吸い上げすいあげ
suction; sucking
- 吸い込むすいこむN1
to inhale; to breathe in; to suck up; to soak up; to absorb
- 吸盤きゅうばん
suction cup; suction pad; sucker
- 吸い込みすいこみ
drawing; suction; intake
- 吸水きゅうすい
water absorption
- 吸い取るすいとるN1
to suck up; to absorb; to squeeze (money)
- 吸い殻すいがらN1
cigarette end; cigarette butt; tobacco ashes
- 吸い物すいもの
clear broth soup, with ingredients and garnish floating in and on it
- 吸い上げるすいあげる
to suck up; to pump up; to draw up; to absorb; to extract
- 吸湿きゅうしつ
moisture absorbing
Study
Etymology
吸 combines 口 (mouth) with 及, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of reaching or drawing in, together suggesting sucking or inhaling.
Meaning mnemonic
The mouth 口 is open, and the right side 及 looks like a person reaching out to pull something in. Together they show a mouth drawing something inward: sucking or inhaling.
Reading mnemonic
For キュウ, imagine a cute little animal sucking up its food with a quick 'kyu!' sound: kyu -> キュウ, and the mouth 口 is busy inhaling.