Translation guide
How to express pulling sharply, a small powerful boat, or a sudden emotional pull in Japanese.
To pull something with a quick, forceful movement.
General verb for pulling or tugging something. Can be used for physical pulling.
彼は私の袖を引っ張った。
He tugged at my sleeve.
Emphasizes a sudden, strong tug. 'ぐいっと' is an onomatopoeia for a forceful pull.
彼女はロープをぐいっと引いた。
She gave the rope a sharp tug.
Simple verb for 'pull', but less specific to a tug. Often needs context or adverb to convey 'tug'.
ドアを引いて開けた。
I pulled the door open.
A tugboat used for towing or pushing ships.
Standard loanword for tugboat.
タグボートが船を港に誘導した。
The tugboat guided the ship into the harbor.
Formal or technical term for a tugboat, literally 'towing boat'.
A feeling of being emotionally drawn or pulled, often suddenly.
To feel a tug at one's heartstrings; to be emotionally drawn to something.
その映画に心を引かれた。
I felt a tug at my heartstrings from that movie.
Literally 'chest tightens', used for a poignant emotional tug, often sadness or nostalgia.
彼の言葉に胸が締め付けられた。
His words gave me a tug of emotion.
A tugboat is towing a large vessel.