Meaning
The kanji 吸 (suu) is an N3 level character central to expressing actions of taking things in—be it air, liquid, or even information. Fundamentally, 吸 means 'to inhale,' 'to absorb,' 'to suck,' or 'to sip.' It captures the essence of drawing something into oneself, like breathing air, drinking a beverage, or a sponge soaking up water.
This kanji is a classic example of a semantic-phonetic compound. The left side features the radical 口 (kuchi), meaning 'mouth.' This radical provides a strong semantic clue, indicating an action performed with or related to the mouth. Indeed, actions such as breathing, sipping, and sucking all involve the mouth.
On the right, we find 級 (kyuu), which typically translates to 'grade' or 'level.' In the context of 吸, this component primarily serves as the phonetic element, giving the kanji its キュウ sound. So, while 級 itself doesn't mean 'to absorb,' its pronunciation guides us to the On'yomi reading of 吸. This combination of meaning and sound elements is common in kanji formation.
Visually, you can imagine the 'mouth' radical (口) as drawing something inward. Picture your mouth taking a deep breath or sipping a drink. This kanji is composed of 6 strokes and is taught to students in the 6th grade in Japan, earning its Grade 6 classification.
Readings
Like many kanji, 吸 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings. Understanding when to use each is crucial for accurate Japanese communication.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 吸 is キュウ. This reading is typically used when 吸 forms part of a compound word (composed of two or more kanji), particularly in more formal or abstract contexts. You'll encounter it in words pertaining to respiration, absorption, or attraction.
- 吸収 (kyūshū) — This means 'absorption' or 'assimilation.' For example, a sponge 水を吸収する (mizu wo kyūshū suru - absorbs water), or you might 知識を吸収する (chishiki wo kyūshū suru - absorb new knowledge).
- 呼吸 (kokyū) — Meaning 'respiration' or 'breathing.' It combines 呼 (ko), meaning 'to call' or 'to exhale,' with 吸 (kyū), 'to inhale.' A fundamental biological term.
- 吸引 (kyūin) — This word means 'attraction' or 'suction.' Consider a magnet's 吸引 power or the strong 吸引 created by a vacuum cleaner.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary Kun'yomi for 吸 is す.う. This reading applies when 吸 functions as a standalone verb or is part of a native Japanese word, directly expressing actions like 'to suck,' 'to inhale,' or 'to sip.'
- 吸う (suu) — This is the fundamental verb form, meaning 'to suck,' 'to inhale,' or 'to sip.' Use it to describe breathing air, smoking a cigarette, or sipping a drink.
- 空気を吸う (kūki wo suu) — This common phrase means 'to breathe air.' For example, 窓を開けて新鮮な空気を吸った (mado wo akete shinsen na kūki wo sutta - I opened the window and breathed fresh air).
- タバコを吸う (tabako wo suu) — The standard phrase for 'to smoke a cigarette.'
- 吸い込む (suikomu) — A compound verb meaning 'to inhale deeply,' 'to suck in,' or 'to draw in.' The 込む component adds the nuance of "into" or "deeply," such as 深く息を吸い込む (fukaku iki wo suikomu - to take a deep breath).
Common Words & Compounds
Let's expand your vocabulary with common words and compounds using 吸. You'll find this kanji is quite versatile!
Breathing and Respiration Related
- 呼吸 (kokyū) — (Noun) breathing, respiration.
Example: 呼吸が速い (kokyū ga hayai) - fast breathing
- 深呼吸 (shinkokyū) — (Noun) deep breath.
Example: 深呼吸をする (shinkokyū wo suru) - to take a deep breath
- 吸い込む (suikomu) — (Verb) to inhale, to suck in.
Example: 空気を吸い込む (kūki wo suikomu) - to inhale air
- 息を吸う (iki wo suu) — (Phrase) to take a breath.
Example: 大きく息を吸う (ōkiku iki wo suu) - to take a big breath
Absorption and Suction Related
- 吸収 (kyūshū) — (Noun/Verb) absorption, assimilation; to absorb.
Example: 水を吸収する (mizu wo kyūshū suru) - to absorb water
- 吸盤 (kyūban) — (Noun) suction cup.
Example: 吸盤で壁につける (kyūban de kabe ni tsukeru) - to attach to the wall with a suction cup
- 吸水 (kyūsui) — (Noun/Verb) water absorption; to absorb water.
Example: 吸水性の高いタオル (kyūsui-sei no takai taoru) - a highly absorbent towel
- 吸引力 (kyūinryoku) — (Noun) attractive force, suction power.
Example: 彼には人を引きつける吸引力がある (kare ni wa hito wo hikitsukeru kyūinryoku ga aru) - He has an attractive power to draw people in.
Other Common Uses
- 喫煙 (kitsuen) — (Noun) smoking. (Often seen as 喫煙所 - smoking area). Remember the verb for 'to smoke' is still タバコを吸う.
- 吸い殻 (suigara) — (Noun) cigarette butt, ash.
Example: 灰皿に吸い殻を捨てる (haizara ni suigara wo suteru) - to throw cigarette butts in the ashtray
- 麻薬を吸う (mayaku wo suu) — (Phrase) to take drugs (by sniffing or inhaling).
Example: 彼は麻薬を吸っていた (kare wa mayaku wo sutte ita) - He was taking drugs.
Example Sentences
Let's see 吸 in action with some practical sentences. Try reading them aloud to get a feel for the rhythm and natural usage!
毎日、新鮮な空気を吸いたい。
Mainichi, shinsen na kūki wo suitai.
I want to breathe fresh air every day.
煙草を吸うと健康に悪いです。
Tabako wo suu to kenkō ni warui desu.
Smoking cigarettes is bad for your health.
植物は根から水分を吸収します。
Shokubutsu wa ne kara suibun wo kyūshū shimasu.
Plants absorb moisture from their roots.
疲れた時は、深呼吸をすると良いですよ。
Tsukareta toki wa, shinkokyū wo suru to ii desu yo.
When you're tired, taking deep breaths is good.
赤ちゃんは哺乳瓶からミルクを吸います。
Akachan wa honyūbin kara miruku wo suimasu.
Babies suck milk from a bottle.
私は窓を開けて、外の空気をいっぱいに吸い込んだ。
Watashi wa mado wo akete, soto no kūki wo ippai ni suikonda.
I opened the window and took a big breath of the outside air.
人は呼吸なしでは生きていけません。
Hito wa kokyū nashi de wa ikite ikemasen.
People cannot live without breathing.
掃除機は強い吸引力で塵を吸い取ります。
Sōjiki wa tsuyoi kyūinryoku de gomi wo suitorimasu.
Vacuum cleaners suck up dust with strong suction power.
彼は新しい知識をどんどん吸収していった。
Kare wa atarashii chishiki wo dondon kyūshū shite itta.
He rapidly absorbed new knowledge.
Memory Tip
To remember 吸, let's break down its components. On the left, we have 口, the 'mouth' radical. This makes intuitive sense, as most actions of 'inhaling,' 'sipping,' or 'sucking' involve the mouth. On the right is 級, which provides the phonetic element 'kyuu.' Although 級 itself means 'grade' or 'level,' you can use its sound to remember the On'yomi of 吸. A simple way to connect them is to associate the 'mouth' (口) with the action of drawing things in, while the right component guides you to the sound.