〜抜く
-nuku
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
to do … through to the end; to do … thoroughly
Verb stem + 抜く means to carry an action through to the very end despite difficulty, or to do it thoroughly: 走り抜く (run all the way), 考え抜く (think through completely), 耐え抜く (endure to the end). The nuance is perseverance and completeness.
Both speech and writing; common in motivational contexts, sports, and narratives. Compared with 〜切る, which simply marks completion, 〜抜く stresses the struggle and determination.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Verb (ます-stem) + 抜くCommon verbs: 走り抜く・考え抜く・耐え抜く・生き抜く・やり抜く・戦い抜く・守り抜くPast: 〜抜いた / Continuative: 〜抜いて / Noun: 〜抜き (rare)
Visual diagram
| Aspect | 〜抜く | 〜切る | 〜通す |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core idea | carry through to the end despite hardship | complete fully, use up | keep doing consistently to the end |
| Nuance | perseverance, determination | completion, exhaustion | persistence without changing |
| Example | 最後まで走り抜いた | 全部食べ切った | 自分の意見を通す |
Natural examples
苦しかったが、最後まで走り抜いた。
くるしかったが、さいごまではしりぬいた。
It was painful, but I ran through to the end.
Running to the finish despite pain: perseverance.
考え抜いた末に、会社を辞めることにした。
かんがえぬいたすえに、かいしゃをやめることにした。
After thinking it through thoroughly, I decided to quit the company.
考え抜いた末に: after thinking it through completely.
困難な状況を耐え抜いた。
こんなんなじょうきょうをたえぬいた。
I endured the difficult situation to the end.
Enduring a hard situation to the end.
どんなに大変でも、この仕事を最後までやり抜くつもりだ。
どんなにたいへんでも、このしごとをさいごまでやりぬくつもりだ。
No matter how hard it is, I intend to see this job through to the end.
やり抜く: one of the most common 抜く compounds.
戦争の時代を生き抜いた祖父の話を聞いた。
せんそうのじだいをいきぬいたそふのはなしをきいた。
I listened to my grandfather, who survived the war years.
生き抜く: survive through hardship.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜切る
Completion or exhaustion (食べ切る, 使い切る); no nuance of struggle.
〜通す
Persist consistently (やり通す, 押し通す); close to 抜く but without the sense of hardship overcome.
〜終わる
Neutral "finish doing".
Different pattern: Noun + 抜き = without. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- ご飯を食べ抜いた。
- ✓
- ご飯を食べ切った。
- Why
- 抜く needs hardship or thoroughness; simple completion of a meal is 切る.
- ✗
- 最後まで走る抜いた。
- ✓
- 最後まで走り抜いた。
- Why
- Attach 抜く to the ます-stem, not the dictionary form.
- ✗
- 考え抜くに決めた。
- ✓
- 考え抜いて決めた。/ 考え抜いた末に決めた。
- Why
- Use the て-form or 〜た末に to connect to the decision.
Often paired with 最後まで / 徹底的に / どんなに〜ても. 考え抜いた末に is a set phrase for a carefully considered decision. Some compounds have their own meanings: 見抜く (see through a lie), 追い抜く (overtake).
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence stresses hardship overcome (苦しかったが / どんなに大変でも), 抜く beats 切る.
- Check the stem: 走り抜く, not 走る抜く.
- Distractors include 切る, 通す, 終わる; also watch for 見抜く / 追い抜く, which have separate meanings.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜抜く mean?
to do … through to the end; to do … thoroughly. Verb stem + 抜く means to carry an action through to the very end despite difficulty, or to do it thoroughly: 走り抜く (run all the way), 考え抜く (think through completely), 耐え抜く (endure to the end). The nuance is perseverance and completeness.
How do you form 〜抜く?
Verb (ます-stem) + 抜く / Common verbs: 走り抜く・考え抜く・耐え抜く・生き抜く・やり抜く・戦い抜く・守り抜く / Past: 〜抜いた / Continuative: 〜抜いて / Noun: 〜抜き (rare). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜抜く used?
Both speech and writing; common in motivational contexts, sports, and narratives. Compared with 〜切る, which simply marks completion, 〜抜く stresses the struggle and determination.
What is the difference between 〜抜く and 〜切る?
Completion or exhaustion (食べ切る, 使い切る); no nuance of struggle.
What is the difference between 〜抜く and 〜通す?
Persist consistently (やり通す, 押し通す); close to 抜く but without the sense of hardship overcome.
What is a common mistake with 〜抜く?
Wrong: ご飯を食べ抜いた。 Right: ご飯を食べ切った。 抜く needs hardship or thoroughness; simple completion of a meal is 切る.
Quick check
苦しかったが、最後まで（ ）。