1To hang or suspend something from above (e.g., hang a shelf, sling a sword at one’s waist).
物干し竿に洗濯物を吊るして乾かした。
I hung the laundry on the clothesline to dry.
庭の木にランタンを吊るして夜を楽しんだ。
We hung lanterns on the garden tree and enjoyed the evening.
侍は腰に短刀を吊るしていた。
The samurai had a short sword hung at his waist.
2To hang oneself (suicide). Commonly used in the phrase 首を吊る.
ニュースで自殺者が首を吊っていたと報じられた。
The news reported that the suicide victim had hanged himself.
3In sumo, to hoist an opponent off his feet by grabbing and pulling his loincloth (mawashi).
力士が相手のまわしを吊って勝負を決めた。
A rikishi hoisted his opponent by the mawashi and decided the match.
4To turn or be pulled upwards (as if being drawn up); to be slanted upwards (e.g., eyes appearing slanted). Usually written in kana.
笑顔で口角が少し吊っているね。
Your mouth is a little upturned in a smile.
古い看板の端が風で吊っている。
The edge of the old sign is being pulled up by the wind.
5To pucker or be pulled tight (e.g., of a seam); to become taut or gathered.
ズボンの縫い目が洗濯で吊ってしまった。
The seam of the trousers puckered after washing.
布を強く引っ張ると縁が吊ってしまうことがある。
If you pull the fabric strongly, the edge can pucker.