Readings: キュウ (Onyomi), す.う (Kunyomi)
Meaning: inhale, suck, absorb, smoke, sip
The kanji 吸 is composed of 口 (kuchi), meaning “mouth,” and 及 (kyū), which signifies “to reach” or “to extend.” Together, these components convey the idea of drawing something into the mouth, leading to meanings like “to inhale” or “to suck.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 吸 has 6 strokes. It starts with the radical 口 (mouth) on the left, followed by the component on the right. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for correct writing. For detailed stroke order, refer to a visual guide.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 口 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- キュウ (Kyuu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- すう (suu)
Common Words Using 吸
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 呼吸 | こきゅう | breath, respiration |
| 吸収 | きゅうしゅう | absorption, suction, assimilation |
| 吸引 | きゅういん | suction, aspiration, attraction |
| 酸素吸入 | さんそきゅうにゅう | oxygen inhalation |
| 吸水 | きゅうすい | water absorption |
| 吸音 | きゅうおん | sound absorption |
| 吸着 | きゅうちゃく | adsorption, sticking |
| 吸塵器 | きゅうじんき | vacuum cleaner (dust sucking machine) |
| 吸入器 | きゅうにゅうき | inhaler, aspirator |
| 吸血鬼 | きゅうけつき | vampire (blood-sucking demon) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 吸う | すう | to breathe in, to inhale, to smoke, to suck |
| 煙を吸う | けむりをすう | to smoke (a cigarette) |
| 息を吸う | いきをすう | to inhale, to breathe in |
| コーヒーを吸う | コーヒーをすう | to sip coffee (colloquial) |
| 指を吸う | ゆびをすう | to suck one’s thumb/finger |
| 蜜を吸う | みつをすう | to suck nectar |
| 空気を吸う | くうきをすう | to breathe air |
| 血を吸う | ちをすう | to suck blood |
| ジュースを吸う | ジュースをすう | to sip juice (through a straw) |
| 栄養を吸う | えいようをすう | to absorb nutrients |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 犬は水を吸うように飲んだ。
Kana: いぬはみずをすうようにのんだ。
Romaji: Inu wa mizu o suu yō ni nonda.
English: The dog drank the water as if sucking it up.
Japanese: 彼はたばこを吸う。
Kana: かれはたばこをすう。
Romaji: Kare wa tabako o suu.
English: He smokes cigarettes.
Japanese: 深く息を吸ってください。
Kana: ふかくいきをすってください。
Romaji: Fukaku iki o sutte kudasai.
English: Please take a deep breath.
Japanese: 植物は土から栄養を吸収する。
Kana: しょくぶつはつちからえいようをきゅうしゅうする。
Romaji: Shokubutsu wa tsuchi kara eiyō o kyūshū suru.
English: Plants absorb nutrients from the soil.
Japanese: この紙は水をよく吸う。
Kana: このかみはみずをよくすう。
Romaji: Kono kami wa mizu o yoku suu.
English: This paper absorbs water well.
Japanese: 彼は呼吸が速い。
Kana: かれはこきゅうがはやい。
Romaji: Kare wa kokyū ga hayai.
English: His breathing is fast.
Japanese: 赤ちゃんが指を吸っている。
Kana: あかちゃんがゆびをすっている。
Romaji: Akachan ga yubi o sutte iru.
English: The baby is sucking its finger.
Japanese: 蚊は人間の血を吸う。
Kana: かはにんげんのちをすう。
Romaji: Ka wa ningen no chi o suu.
English: Mosquitoes suck human blood.
Japanese: 吸引力が強い掃除機。
Kana: きゅういんりょくがつよいそうじき。
Romaji: Kyūinryoku ga tsuyoi sōjiki.
English: A vacuum cleaner with strong suction power.
Japanese: 風邪で鼻が詰まって呼吸がしにくい。
Kana: かぜではながつまってこきゅうがしにくい。
Romaji: Kaze de hana ga tsumatte kokyū ga shinikui.
English: My nose is stuffed up from a cold, making it hard to breathe.
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