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Kotomora

吸

suck, imbibe, inhale, sip

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes6

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

Explore all words using 吸 →

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.