引 — Pull, Draw, Stretch

Meaning

The kanji 引 (hiku, in) conveys several core meanings, including “pull,” “draw,” and “stretch.” It describes actions where force is applied to bring something closer, to extend or tighten something, or to guide others. Beyond these physical actions, its meaning extends to “subtract” (like removing a number), “look up” (as in consulting a dictionary), or “refer to” (drawing attention to a specific point). This breadth of meaning makes 引 a very common kanji in everyday Japanese.

Historically, 引 is thought to be an ideograph or pictograph. Its visual structure combines 弓 (yumi), meaning “bow” (as in a bow and arrow), with a vertical stroke that can be seen as the bowstring being drawn back. This act of drawing a bowstring perfectly illustrates the kanji’s core meaning of “pulling.” This straightforward visual representation effectively communicates the idea of applying tension or moving something toward oneself.

Comprising 4 strokes, the kanji 引 is introduced in Grade 2 of Japanese elementary school, making it an early and fundamental part of learning. While simple in form, it has a wide range of applications and nuanced meanings, which become clearer through its various readings and compound words.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The On'yomi (音読み) readings of 引 come from Chinese pronunciations. They are typically used when the kanji is part of a compound word, often conveying a more formal or abstract sense.

イン (in): This is the only On'yomi reading for 引. You’ll often find it in words related to leading, referring, or specific scientific concepts like gravity.
引力いんりょく (inryoku) — gravity; literally “pulling force.” This term describes the natural force that pulls objects toward each other.
引用いんよう (inyō) — quotation, citation; the act of drawing words or passages from another source to use them as evidence or example.
索引さくいん (sakuin) — index; a list of terms or topics with references to where they can be found, essentially “drawing out” information for easy access.
牽引けんいん (ken'in) — towing, traction; the act of pulling something heavy, often a vehicle, with a rope or chain.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The Kun'yomi (訓読み) readings of 引 are native Japanese words associated with the kanji’s meaning. These are typically used when the kanji stands alone as a verb or noun, or in compounds with other native Japanese words.

ひく (hiku): This is the most common Kun'yomi. It functions as a versatile verb with many meanings.
引ひく (hiku) — to pull (ドアを引く - pull a door), to draw a line (線を引く - draw a line), to subtract (10から3を引く - subtract 3 from 10), to look up in a dictionary (辞書を引く - look up in a dictionary), to catch a cold (風邪を引く - catch a cold), to lead a line (列を引く - lead a line).
ひき (hiki): This reading often appears as a noun or as part of compound verbs, frequently indicating an ongoing or related action of pulling or drawing.
引ひき出す (hikidasu) — to pull out (引き出しから書類を出す - pull documents from a drawer), to withdraw money (銀行からお金を引き出す - withdraw money from the bank), to elicit (才能を引き出す - elicit talent).
値引ねびき (nebiki) — price reduction, discount; literally “pulling down the price.”
引ひき続き (hikitsuzuki) — continuously, without interruption; implies a sustained pulling forward or continuation of an action or state.
ひ (hi): This reading is less common on its own but appears in specific words, sometimes as a shortened form or in contexts suggesting a closing or end.
弓ゆみ引ひき (yumihiki) — archer; a person who “pulls a bow.”
引ひけ (hike) — closing time (for a market or store), the end of the day; suggests operations are “drawing to a close.”

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 引 appears in many words and compounds, reflecting its varied meanings. Here are some common examples, grouped by their primary nuance:

Actions of Pulling & Moving

引ひっ張る (hipparu) — to pull, to stretch, to drag. This verb emphasizes a strong or continuous pulling action, like pulling a rope.
引ひき出す (hikidasu) — to pull out, to draw out, to withdraw (e.g., money from a bank). It often implies taking something from within a container or from a reserve.
引ひき寄せる (hikiyoseru) — to pull something toward oneself, to attract (e.g., to pull a chair closer, to attract customers).
引ひっ越し (hikkoshi) — moving (house, office); the action of gathering one's belongings and moving them to a new place.
引ひき返す (hikikaesu) — to turn back, to retrace one's steps; to pull oneself back from a certain path or action.

Referencing & Leading

引用いんよう (inyō) — quotation, citation. This refers to drawing specific text or ideas from a source, often for academic or illustrative purposes.
索引さくいん (sakuin) — index. A systematic list used to easily locate information within a document or book.
引率いんそつ (insotsu) — leading, chaperoning. The act of guiding a group of people, often students, on an outing.
引見いんけん (inken) — audience (with a superior). To be led into the presence of an important person for a formal meeting.

Subtraction & Reduction

割引わりびき (waribiki) — discount, reduction. This means taking a portion off the original price.
値引ねびき (nebiki) — price reduction. Similar to 割引, it specifically refers to lowering a price.
差引さしひき (sashihiki) — deduction, balance. The act of subtracting one amount from another to find the remainder.

Other Related Concepts

引力いんりょく (inryoku) — gravity. The fundamental force of attraction that pulls objects towards each other.
引退いんたい (intai) — retirement. To withdraw from active work or public life.
引継ひきつぎ (hikitsugi) — handover, succession. The act of passing on responsibilities or duties to another person, often implying a smooth continuation.
引ひき分け (hikīwake) — a draw, a tie (in a game). Occurs when neither side manages to pull ahead of the other.

Example Sentences

重おもい荷物にもつなので、ゆっくり引ひいてください。

Omoi nimotsu nanode, yukkuri hiite kudasai.

It's a heavy load, so please pull it slowly.

分わからない単語たんごは辞書じしょで引ひきました。

Wakaranai tango wa jisho de hikimashita.

I looked up the words I didn't know in the dictionary.

銀行ぎんこうのATMでお金かねを引ひき出しました。

Ginkō no ATM de okane o hikidashimashita.

I withdrew money from the ATM at the bank.

昨夜さくやから風邪かぜを引ひいて、今日きょうは体調たいちょうが悪わるいです。

Sakuya kara kaze o hiite, kyō wa taichō ga warui desu.

I caught a cold last night, so I'm not feeling well today.

この商品しょうひんは今いま、20パーセント割引わりびきになっています。

Kono shōhin wa ima, nijū pāsento waribiki ni natte imasu.

This product is currently 20 percent off.

彼かれは長ながいキャリアに幕まくを閉とじ、今年ことし引退いんたいすると発表はっぴょうしました。

Kare wa nagai kyaria ni maku o toji, kotoshi intai suru to happyō shimashita.

He announced that he would end his long career and retire this year.

地球ちきゅうの引力いんりょくがあるから、私わたしたちは空そらに浮うかないのです。

Chikyū no inryoku ga aru kara, watashitachi wa sora ni ukanai no desu.

Because of Earth's gravity, we don't float in the sky.

先生せんせいが生徒せいとたちを引率いんそつして、動物園どうぶつえんへ行いきました。

Sensei ga seito-tachi o insotsu shite, dōbutsuen e ikimashita.

The teacher led the students to the zoo.

引ひき続きのご支援しえん、よろしくお願ねがいいたします。

Hikitsuzuki no goshien, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

We kindly ask for your continued support.

論文ろんぶんで重要じゅうような文献ぶんけんを引用いんようする際さいは、出典しゅってんを明記めいきする必要ひつようがあります。

Ronbun de jūyō na bunken o inyō suru sai wa, shutten o meiki suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.

When quoting important literature in a paper, you must clearly state the source.

Related Kanji

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 引, visualize its components. The left side is 弓 (yumi), meaning “bow.” The right side, a single vertical stroke with a hook, represents the bowstring being stretched or pulled taut. Imagine an archer preparing to shoot: they must “pull” back the bowstring. This clear image of drawing a bow perfectly illustrates the kanji’s main meaning of “pull” or “draw.” You “pull” the bowstring, you “draw” a line, and you “lead” the arrow to its target.