Translation guide
The English word 'siphon' can refer to a physical device for moving liquid, the action of using such a device, or metaphorically to the act of diverting resources. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
Referring to the actual siphon tube or device used to transfer liquid from one container to another.
The most common and direct loanword for the physical siphon device. Widely understood.
水槽の水を抜くためにサイフォンを使った。
I used a siphon to drain the water from the tank.
An alternative spelling of the loanword, less common but still used.
このサイホンは古いけどまだ使える。
This siphon is old but still usable.
A native Japanese compound meaning 'suction pipe'. More descriptive but less common than the loanword.
実験では吸い上げ管を使って液体を移した。
In the experiment, we transferred the liquid using a siphon tube.
Describing the process of moving liquid using a siphon, or the verb 'to siphon' in a physical sense.
The most natural way to say 'to siphon out' using the loanword and the verb 吸い出す (to suck out).
ガソリンをサイフォンで吸い出した。
I siphoned out the gasoline.
Means 'to transfer using a siphon'. Suitable when the focus is on moving liquid from one place to another.
ワインを瓶からデキャンタにサイフォンで移した。
I siphoned the wine from the bottle to the decanter.
A general verb meaning 'to suck up' or 'to pump up'. Can be used for siphoning without specifying the device, but is broader in meaning.
Using 'siphon' figuratively to mean secretly taking money, funds, or resources for another purpose.
Means 'to divert funds'. This is the standard business/political term for misappropriating money.
彼は会社の資金を個人口座に流用した。
He siphoned company funds into his personal account.
Means 'to embezzle'. Stronger and more criminal-sounding than 流用する. Use when the siphoning is clearly illegal.
経理担当者が売上金を横領していた。
The accountant was siphoning off the sales proceeds.
Can be used metaphorically to mean 'to siphon off' profits or resources, similar to the physical meaning. Often used in economic contexts.
Means 'to exploit' or 'to squeeze out'. Implies unfair extraction of value, often used in labor or resource contexts.
その制度は労働者から富を搾取するものだ。
The system siphons wealth from the workers.
Using 'siphon' to describe redirecting people, talent, or focus away from something.
Means 'to poach' or 'to lure away' talent or personnel. Common in business contexts.
競合他社が優秀なエンジニアを引き抜いた。
A rival company siphoned off our best engineers.
Means 'to take away' or 'to steal' (attention, customers, etc.). Can be used for siphoning off customers or focus.
Means 'to divert' or 'to distract' (attention, conversation). Use when siphoning attention away from something.
Do not use サイフォン for metaphorical siphoning of money or resources. It will sound like you are talking about a physical tube. Use the financial or abstract verbs provided instead.
✕ 資金をサイフォンする
Incorrect: 'to siphon funds' (literally using the word siphon)
○ 資金を流用する
Correct: to divert/misappropriate funds
灯油をポンプで吸い上げた。
I siphoned (pumped up) the kerosene.
大企業が地域の利益を吸い上げている。
Large corporations are siphoning off the local profits.
The new store is siphoning customers from existing ones.
His joke siphoned attention away from the main issue.