ひく

The Japanese verb ひく (hiku) is a versatile and essential word that every learner must master early in their journey. Depending on the kanji used, it primarily covers two distinct semantic fields: physical pulling or drawing (引く) and playing stringed or keyboard instruments (弾く). Understanding the nuances between these two is the first step toward fluency. When written as 引く, the verb describes the action of moving something toward oneself or exerting force in a specific direction. This is most commonly seen on doors in Japan, where you will see the character 引 indicating that you should pull the handle. However, the scope of 引く extends far beyond physical objects. It is used for drawing lines (線を引く), looking up words in a dictionary (辞書を引く), and even catching a cold (風邪を引く). The logic behind 'catching a cold' using this verb stems from the idea of 'drawing' the illness into one's body. Furthermore, in mathematics, it is the standard term for subtraction, such as '10 minus 5' (10から5を引く).

Physical Interaction

Used for opening doors, pulling ropes, or dragging luggage. It implies a force directed toward the person performing the action.

When written as 弾く, the meaning shifts entirely to the realm of music. This specific kanji is used for instruments that involve strings or keys. Whether you are playing the piano, the guitar, the violin, or the traditional Japanese koto, hiku is the correct verb. It captures the action of plucking, striking, or vibrating a string to produce sound. It is important to note that this verb is not used for wind instruments like flutes (which use fuku) or percussion instruments like drums (which use tataku). This distinction is a common hurdle for English speakers who are used to the generic verb 'play' for all instruments. In Japanese, the physical action of the play determines the verb used.

Musical Performance

Specifically for stringed instruments (guitar, violin) and keyboard instruments (piano, organ). It emphasizes the manipulation of strings or keys.

Beyond these primary uses, hiku appears in various idiomatic expressions that describe human behavior and social dynamics. For example, don-biki (どん引き) is a modern slang term used when someone is 'totally turned off' or 'cringes' at someone else's behavior, essentially 'pulling back' in shock or disgust. In a more literal sense, it can mean to 'retreat' or 'withdraw,' such as a tide receding from the shore or a military force pulling back from a frontline. This sense of withdrawal also applies to the concept of 'drawing blood' (血を引く), which can mean to literally have blood taken for a test or, more poetically, to inherit a lineage or bloodline. The depth of this verb is truly remarkable, spanning from the most mundane physical tasks to complex emotional reactions and mathematical calculations. By mastering hiku, you gain a tool that functions as a Swiss Army knife in the Japanese language, allowing you to describe music, movement, health, and logic with a single phonetic sound.

Abstract and Idiomatic

Includes concepts like subtraction, catching illness, drawing lines, and social withdrawal. These uses often don't have a direct 'pull' translation in English.

Using ひく (hiku) correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation and the particles that typically accompany it. As a Godan (Type I) verb, its stem ends in 'ku', which changes depending on the tense and formality. The most common particle used with hiku is を (o), which marks the object being pulled or the instrument being played. For example, in the sentence 'I play the guitar,' you would say Gitaa o hikimasu. In the case of catching a cold, 'kaze' is the object: Kaze o hikimashita. It is crucial to remember that hiku is a transitive verb in these contexts, meaning it requires an object to make sense.

Basic Conjugation

Dictionary Form: ひく (hiku)
Polite Form: ひきます (hikimasu)
Te-form: ひいて (hiite)
Past Form: ひいた (hiita)
Negative Form: ひかない (hikanai)

When using hiku to mean 'subtract,' the sentence structure typically involves the particle から (kara) to indicate the starting number. For instance, 'Subtract 3 from 10' is Juu kara san o hiku. This logical flow—from the source (kara) the object (o) is removed (hiku)—is consistent across many Japanese mathematical expressions. In the context of drawing lines, the object is sen (line), as in Jōgi de sen o hiku (Draw a line with a ruler). Here, the particle で (de) is used to indicate the tool or method used to perform the action.

Mathematical Usage

[Number A] から [Number B] を ひく (Subtract B from A). This is a fundamental pattern for basic arithmetic in Japanese.

In more advanced usage, hiku can be combined with other verbs to create compound meanings. Hipparu (引っ張る) is a common compound meaning 'to tug' or 'to pull strongly,' combining hiku with haru (to stretch). Another example is hiki-ukeru (引き受ける), which means to take on a responsibility or task. These compounds retain the core 'pulling' or 'drawing' essence of the base verb but apply it to more specific or metaphorical situations. When practicing hiku, try to visualize the action: whether it's pulling a curtain, drawing a line, or plucking a guitar string, the core motion of 'bringing something toward a point' or 'activating a vibration' remains the unifying thread.

Compound Verbs

引き出す (hiki-dasu): To pull out / withdraw money.
引き返す (hiki-kaesu): To turn back / retreat.
引き止める (hiki-tomeru): To restrain / stop someone from leaving.

You will encounter ひく (hiku) in virtually every corner of Japanese life, from the most formal settings to casual street conversations. One of the first places you'll see it is on public doors. Unlike Western doors which might have 'PULL' written in large letters, Japanese doors often feature the single kanji 引. If you're at a shop, a library, or a government office, identifying this character will save you from the embarrassment of pushing a pull-door. In a school or classroom setting, teachers often use hiku when teaching math or geometry. You'll hear Sen o hiite kudasai (Please draw a line) or Go o hikimasu (Subtract five). It's a fundamental part of the vocabulary for students of all ages.

Daily Life & Signage

Look for '引' (Hiku) on doors. This is the visual cue to pull the handle toward you. Its counterpart is '押' (Osu), meaning to push.

In the world of music and hobbies, hiku is ubiquitous. If you visit a music store (Gakki-ya) in Shibuya or Ochanomizu, you'll hear staff asking customers if they want to try 'playing' (shisō) a guitar, or you might hear students discussing their piano lessons. Piano o hiku no ga suki desu (I like playing the piano) is a classic introductory phrase. At a concert, you might hear an announcer introduce a soloist by saying they will 'play' a certain piece. The cultural importance of instruments like the koto or shamisen means that hiku is also deeply embedded in traditional Japanese arts. Even in modern pop culture, anime characters often join light music clubs, where the verb hiku is heard in every episode as they practice their instruments.

Music & Entertainment

Used constantly in music schools, concerts, and hobby circles. It specifically refers to the action of playing string/keyboard instruments.

In casual conversation, especially among young people, you might hear the slang term hiku or hikimashita used to describe a reaction to something weird or off-putting. If someone tells a very bad joke or does something socially awkward, a friend might say, Majide hiita (I really pulled back / I'm totally cringed out). This usage reflects the physical act of recoiling from something unpleasant. Additionally, in the context of fortune-telling (omikuji) at shrines and temples, you will 'pull' your fortune from a box. This is a very common experience during New Year's visits (Hatsumode). Hearing someone say Omikuji o hiite miyou! (Let's try pulling a fortune!) is a hallmark of the Japanese holiday season.

Shrines & Slang

Omikuji o hiku: To draw a fortune slip at a shrine.
Don-biki: To be completely turned off or shocked by someone's behavior.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with ひく (hiku) is applying the English 'one size fits all' approach to the verb 'play.' In English, we play the piano, play the drums, play the flute, and play football. In Japanese, these all require different verbs. Using hiku for a drum (taiko) is incorrect; you must use tataku (to hit). Using hiku for a flute (fue) is also wrong; you must use fuku (to blow). Furthermore, playing a game or a sport uses suru or asobu. Remembering that hiku is reserved primarily for strings and keyboards is a vital distinction that separates beginners from intermediate speakers.

The 'Play' Trap

Wrong: Taiko o hiku (I play drums).
Correct: Taiko o tataku.
Wrong: Fue o hiku (I play the flute).
Correct: Fue o fuku.

Another common error involves the kanji selection. Because hiku has multiple kanji (引, 弾, 挽, 轢), learners often use the wrong one in writing. Using the 'pull' kanji (引) when you mean 'play the piano' (弾) is a common typo. While they sound the same, the visual meaning is very different to a Japanese reader. Similarly, the verb hiku meaning 'to run over someone with a car' uses a completely different kanji (轢). While you won't make this mistake in speaking, in writing, using the wrong kanji can change 'I pulled the door' into 'I ran over the door,' which is quite a different image!

Kanji Confusion

引く: Pull, subtract, catch cold, look up words.
弾く: Play string/keyboard instruments.
挽く: Grind (coffee, meat).
轢く: Run over (with a vehicle).

Finally, learners sometimes confuse hiku with hipparu. While both mean 'pull,' hipparu usually implies a more vigorous, sustained, or forceful pulling action, like a game of tug-of-war or pulling a heavy cart. Hiku is more general and can be a single, simple movement. Using hipparu for a door might sound like you are trying to rip the handle off! Additionally, be careful with the phrase 'drawing a picture.' In English, we 'draw' a picture, but in Japanese, this is e o kaku. Using e o hiku would be understood as 'pulling a picture' or perhaps drawing a single line on it, but not the act of artistic creation.

Hiku vs. Hipparu vs. Kaku

Hiku: General pull, look up, subtract.
Hipparu: Tug, pull with force, lead someone.
Kaku: To draw a picture (not hiku!).

While ひく (hiku) is a primary verb, several other words offer more specific meanings or formal alternatives. For the 'pull' sense, 引っ張る (hipparu) is the most common alternative. It conveys a sense of tension or continuous force. If you are leading a child by the hand or pulling a rope in a competition, hipparu is more descriptive. Another related word is 引き寄せる (hiki-yoseru), which specifically means 'to pull something closer to oneself.' This is often used in a more deliberate or even emotional sense, such as pulling a loved one close or attracting a favorable opportunity.

Pulling Alternatives

引っ張る (hipparu): To tug, drag, or pull strongly.
引き寄せる (hiki-yoseru): To pull closer, to attract.
抜く (nuku): To pull out (like a tooth or a sword), to extract.

In the context of music, 奏でる (kanaderu) is a beautiful, more formal alternative to hiku. While hiku describes the physical act of playing, kanaderu focuses on the melody or the beauty of the sound produced. It is often used in literature or formal announcements to say someone is 'playing a beautiful tune.' For specific instruments, as mentioned before, you must switch verbs: tataku for percussion, fuku for woodwinds/brass, and narasu for ringing a bell or making a sound in general. Knowing these distinctions shows a high level of linguistic sensitivity.

Musical Alternatives

奏でる (kanaderu): To play/perform (expressive/poetic).
演奏する (ensō suru): To perform (formal/professional).
鳴らす (narasu): To sound/ring (an instrument or bell).

When it comes to the mathematical 'subtract,' the formal noun is 引き算 (hikizan). While you use the verb hiku in a sentence, you would use hikizan when talking about the concept of subtraction itself. In the case of looking up words, you can also use 調べる (shiraberu), which means 'to investigate' or 'to check.' Jisho o hiku specifically implies the physical act of flipping through a dictionary, whereas shiraberu is more general and can be used for searching the internet or checking a fact. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the action (hiku) or the goal (shiraberu).

General Alternatives

調べる (shiraberu): To look up / check (general).
減らす (herasu): To reduce / decrease (not exactly subtract, but related).
退く (shirizoku): To retreat / step back (formal version of pulling back).