吸

JLPT N3

Inhale, suck

Readings

On’yomi: キュウ (kyū)

Kun’yomi: す(う) (su(u))

• す(う) – to suck, to inhale, to sip

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

吸う

すう

smoke/suck

呼吸

こきゅう

breathing

吸収

きゅうしゅう

absorb

吸引

きゅういん

suction

喫煙

きつえん

smoking

Example Sentences

空気を吸います。

くうきをすいます。

I breathe in air.

呼吸します。

こきゅうします。

I breathe.

吸収します。

きゅうしゅうします。

I absorb it.

吸引します。

きゅういんします。

I suction it.

喫煙します。

きつえんします。

I smoke.

Cultural Note

☕ In Japanese tea culture, people traditionally 吸う (suu) tea with a soft sound as a sign of appreciation — it shows that you are enjoying it. Similarly, 呼吸 (breathing) is central to meditation, martial arts, and Zen practices, where controlled inhaling (吸) and exhaling (吐) symbolize calmness and focus.