Translation guide
The English word "drain" can be a verb or a noun with several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: removing liquid, causing liquid to flow out, exhausting energy/resources, and the physical pipe or grate.
To cause liquid to flow out of a container, area, or object, often completely.
drain the bathtub · drain the pasta · drain the oil from the car
General term for draining water or liquid, often used in technical or household contexts.
風呂の水を排水する。
Drain the bathwater.
Common expression for draining water from food (e.g., pasta, vegetables) or letting water drip off.
パスタの水を切る。
Drain the pasta.
Means 'to flush' or 'to let flow away', used for draining sinks, toilets, etc.
シンクの水を流す。
Drain the sink.
Means 'to pull out' or 'to extract', used for draining liquids from containers or systems (e.g., oil, air).
エンジンオイルを抜く。
Drain the engine oil.
To describe liquid naturally flowing out or being absorbed, often intransitive.
The water drained slowly. · The sink won't drain.
Intransitive verb for liquid flowing or draining away.
水がゆっくり流れた。
The water slowly drained away.
Passive form of 排水する, used when liquid is drained by someone or something.
プールの水が排水された。
The pool water was drained.
Means water drains well (e.g., soil, sink). Often used in gardening or describing drainage quality.
To cause someone to lose energy, money, or vitality gradually.
The work drained my energy. · The constant noise drained her.
To exhaust or deplete energy, resources, or strength.
その仕事は彼の体力を消耗させた。
The work drained his strength.
To make someone tired; a more casual way to say 'drain' in terms of energy.
長い会議で疲れた。
The long meeting drained me.
To take away or deprive; used for draining energy, color, life, etc.
The physical fixture in a sink, floor, or street that allows water to flow out.
The drain is clogged. · Clean the drain cover.
General term for a drain outlet, such as in a sink, bathtub, or floor.
排水口が詰まっている。
The drain is clogged.
Loanword from English, often used in technical or mechanical contexts (e.g., air conditioner drain).
Refers to sewage or drainage system, often for city infrastructure.
When referring to a physical drain, do not use 流し (nagashi) alone, as it usually means 'sink'. Use 排水口 (haisuikō) for the drain opening.
水を切る (mizu o kiru) is for draining water from solid items like food, while 排水する (haisui suru) is for draining large amounts of water from containers or areas.
パスタの水を切ってください。
Drain the pasta.
流しの水が流れない。
The sink won't drain.
仕事の後はぐったりだ。
I feel drained after work.
ぐったり is an onomatopoeia for being exhausted, a natural way to express feeling drained.
This soil drains well.
The illness drained his vitality.
エアコンのドレインホース
air conditioner drain hose
The drain overflowed.