To pull or tug something; to lead or guide (e.g. lead a horse).
犬の首輪を引いて散歩する。
I walk the dog by pulling its collar.
ロープを強く引いて船を岸に近づけた。
He pulled the rope hard to bring the boat closer to the shore.
子供は馬を手綱で引いて放牧地へ向かった。
The child led the horse by the reins toward the pasture.
To draw or attract attention, interest, sympathy, etc. (often written 惹く).
彼女のスピーチは聴衆の注意を引いた。
Her speech drew the audience's attention.
その広告は若者の興味を惹くデザインだ。
That advertisement has a design that attracts young people.
彼の奇抜な発言がメディアの注目を引いた。
His outrageous remark attracted media attention.
To draw back (one's hand), pull in (one's chin or stomach); to retract or pull inward.
驚いて思わず手を引いた。
Startled, I instinctively pulled my hand back.
写真を撮るときは顎を引いてください。
When taking a photo, please tuck your chin in.
To draw (a card, mahjong tile, etc.) from a deck or wall.
山から一枚カードを引いて手札を補充した。
I drew a card from the deck to replenish my hand.
麻雀でツモを引いて和了した。
He drew the winning tile in mahjong.
To draw a line, plan, or blueprint; to draft diagrams or plans.
建築士が家の図面を引いている。
The architect is drawing the plans for the house.
地図に境界線を引く。
Draw the boundary line on the map.
To catch (a cold) or become ill (as in 風邪を引く).
昨夜の雨で風邪を引いてしまった。
I caught a cold because of last night's rain.
手洗いをして風邪を引かないようにしよう。
Wash your hands so you don't catch a cold.
To play a stringed or keyboard instrument (commonly written 弾く).
彼女はピアノを弾くのがとても上手だ。
She is very good at playing the piano.
休み時間にギターを弾いて歌った。
During the break I played the guitar and sang.
新しい曲をヴァイオリンで弾いてみた。
I tried playing a new piece on the violin.
To look up (in a dictionary, phone book, etc.); to consult or check a reference.
分からない単語を辞書で引いて意味を確認した。
I looked up the unknown word in a dictionary to check its meaning.
古い住所は電話帳で引いて調べた。
I checked the old address in the phone book.
To haul or tow (vehicles, trailers, etc.); to pull heavy loads (often written 牽く).
トラクターがトレーラーを牽いて畑に入った。
The tractor hauled the trailer into the field.
犬ぞりを数頭の犬が牽いた。
Several dogs pulled the sled.
To subtract or deduct (a number or amount).
合計から送料を引いて支払額を出した。
I subtracted the shipping fee from the total to get the amount to pay.
10から3を引くと7になる。
Ten minus three equals seven.
To recede, ebb, or fade (e.g. sound, color, influence diminishing).
嵐の音が次第に引いていった。
The sound of the storm gradually subsided.
夜になって熱が少し引いた。
By night, the fever had come down a little.
To descend from or inherit a characteristic (e.g. to be descended from, to carry a trait).
彼は有名な画家の血を引くと言われている。
He is said to be descended from a famous painter.
この家系は学者の才能を引いてきた。
This family line has passed down scholarly talent.
To quote or cite (something) as an example or evidence.
論文から重要な一節を引いて説明した。
He quoted an important passage from the paper to explain it.
彼は歴史的な資料を引いて自説を裏付けた。
He supported his argument by citing historical documents.
To lay on or install utilities (electricity, gas, water); to connect or supply services.
新しい家に電気を引く工事を始めた。
They started work to connect electricity to the new house.
この地区に都市ガスを引く計画がある。
There is a plan to bring city gas to this area.
To sustain or hold a musical note; to prolong a sound.
歌手は最後の音を美しく引いた。
The singer beautifully sustained the final note.
バイオリンで一つの音を長く引く練習をした。
I practiced holding a single note for a long time on the violin.
To apply (makeup, oil, wax, etc.); to spread or coat a surface (e.g. apply lipstick, oil a pan).
朝、鏡の前で口紅を引いた。
In the morning I applied lipstick in front of the mirror.
フライパンに油を引いてから具材を入れる。
Pour oil into the frying pan before adding the ingredients.
床にワックスを引いてピカピカにした。
I waxed the floor and made it shine.
To move back, withdraw, recede or retreat (often written 退く).
チェスで相手が駒を引いて守りを固めた。
In chess the opponent pulled back a piece to strengthen the defense.
敵軍が徐々に引いていった。
The enemy troops gradually retreated.
To subside, lessen, or abate (e.g. swelling, pain); to go down.
捻挫した足の腫れが数日で引いた。
The swelling in my sprained foot went down after a few days.
薬を飲んだら痛みが引いてきた。
After taking the medicine, the pain began to subside.
To resign, retire, or step down from a position (often written 退く).
長年の会長職を彼は今年引いた。
He stepped down from the presidency he had held for many years this year.
政治家はスキャンダルの後、政界から身を引いた。
After the scandal the politician withdrew from public life.
Colloquially, to be put off, disgusted, or to recoil (to be 'turned off' by someone's words or behavior).
彼の下ネタにはみんな引いてしまった。
Everyone was put off by his dirty jokes.
あの無神経な発言には正直引いた。
Honestly, I was taken aback by that insensitive remark.