Kanji 吸: suck, imbibe, inhale, sip

Key takeaways

Kanji 吸: suck, imbibe, inhale, sip. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

吸

Meaning

suckimbibeinhalesip

On reading

キュウ

Kun reading

す.う

Radical

口

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 吸

suck, imbibe, inhale, sip

Kanji structure breakdown

吸

Structure breakdown

口 + 及

Mnemonic story

This kanji depicts the mouth (口) reaching (及) out to draw in air or liquid. It represents the physical action of inhaling deeply, sucking, or sipping.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

キュウ

吸収きゅうしゅう
absorption / taking in
呼吸こきゅう
breathing / respiration

Kun reading

す.う

吸うすう
to suck / to smoke

Commonly used words

吸収
きゅうしゅう
absorption / taking in
呼吸
こきゅう
breathing / respiration
吸う
すう
to suck / to smoke

Example sentences

Example 1

スポンジが水を吸収する。

Translation

The sponge absorbs water.

Example 2

新しい情報を早く吸収したい。

Translation

I want to quickly absorb new information.

Example 3

深い呼吸をしてください。

Translation

Please take a deep breath.

Example 4

運動すると呼吸が速くなる。

Translation

Your breathing gets faster when you exercise.

Kanji 吸: suck, imbibe, inhale, sip

Kanji at a glance

Core meaning / core image

Kanji structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

Kun reading

Commonly used words

Example sentences

吸収 (きゅうしゅう): meaning and examples

呼吸 (こきゅう): meaning and examples

吸う (すう): meaning and examples