引きます（ひきます、hikimasu）
- to pull

The Japanese verb 引きます (ひきます, *hikimasu*) has several meanings, all stemming from the core idea of "to pull" or "to draw." However, the specific meaning depends heavily on the context. It can refer to: ⚫︎To pull or draw something (e.g., a door, a rope). ⚫︎To subtract (in mathematics). ⚫︎To withdraw or retire. ⚫︎To feel (e.g., to feel scared or to feel disgusted). ⚫︎To play (a musical instrument). ⚫︎To cast a vote or draw a lot. The meaning is distinguished by the surrounding words. The meanings of this word range, so be careful.

⚫︎ドアを 引きます Translation: I pull the door. ⚫︎5から3を 引きます Translation: Subtract 3 from 5. ⚫︎音楽を 引きます Translation: I play music (on an instrument).

⚫︎When used to describe physical actions like pulling or drawing, it's straightforward. You're physically moving something toward yourself. ⚫︎When used for mathematics, it always means subtraction. ⚫︎For expressing feelings, it often pairs with other words to describe the specific emotion. For example, 怖く感じます (kowaku kanjimasu) means "to feel scared". ⚫︎When it refers to playing a musical instrument, it’s about playing a string or wind instrument. ⚫︎Context is critical for understanding which meaning applies. Pay attention to the surrounding words.

⚫︎The base form is 引く (ひく, *hiku*). ⚫︎The polite form is 引きます (ひきます, *hikimasu*). ⚫︎It is typically written in hiragana, but kanji 引く is also used. ⚫︎The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is always く or きます.

⚫︎To pull/draw: 引っ張る (*hipparu*) – to pull (more forcefully) ⚫︎To subtract: 減らす (*herasu*) – to reduce, to subtract (more generally) ⚫︎To withdraw: 退く (*shirizoku*) – to retreat, to withdraw ⚫︎To feel (disgusted/scared): 感じる (*kanjiru*) – to feel ⚫︎To play (an instrument): 演奏する (*ensei suru*) - to perform

⚫︎To pull: 押す (*osu*) - to push ⚫︎To subtract: 足す (*tasu*) - to add ⚫︎To withdraw: 参加する (*sanka suru*) - to participate ⚫︎To feel (disgusted/scared): (There is no direct antonym, but you can say to be not to feel, e.g. 怖くない *kowakunai* - "not scared")

重いドアを 引いて 開けました。 ・Translation: I pulled the heavy door and opened it. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 引いて in its "-te" form (引いて, *hiite*) to describe the action of pulling the door.

ピアノを 引く のが好きです。 ・Translation: I like playing the piano. ・Explanation: Here, 引く means "to play" (a musical instrument), specifically the piano in this sentence. The noun modifies the sentence with "piano".

The kanji 引 (hi-ku) originally depicted the action of drawing a bowstring, and the meaning evolved to include other drawing actions. It represents the concept of causing something to move toward oneself. The use of this word has broadened.