godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
thin out; cull
Primarily used for plants, seedlings, or crops: removing some to give the remaining ones more space and resources.
大根の芽を間引いて、大きく育つようにした。
I thinned out the radish sprouts so the remaining ones could grow bigger.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
Used for reducing the frequency or number of something, especially services or schedules. Often seen with transportation or events.
不況でバスの本数を間引くことになった。
Due to the recession, they had to reduce the number of bus services.
godan verb (-ku), transitive verb
kill a newborn child (due to financial difficulties)
Historical term for infanticide, often practiced in times of famine or extreme poverty. Not used in modern contexts.
江戸時代、貧しい農家では口減らしのために赤ん坊を間引くことがあった。
In the Edo period, poor farming families sometimes killed newborn babies to reduce the number of mouths to feed.