How to say "attract" in Japanese

• 引きつけるひきつけるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe default verb for 'attract' in the sense of drawing people or hearts toward someone or something; it covers both physical drawing near and the pull of charm or appeal.
  この磁鉄鉱じてっこうは地球ちきゅうの磁場じばに引ひきつけられる。↗

  The magnetite is attracted to the earth's magnetic field.
• 引くひくJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbFor 'attract' it appears when the thing drawn is named as the object — attention, interest, sympathy and the like. Its basic sense is 'to pull,' so the attracted thing is made explicit.
• 引き寄せるひきよせるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbFocuses on the movement of drawing someone or something closer, whether physically or figuratively; its 'entice' sense adds attracting by stirring desire.
• 釣るつるJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbLiterally to catch fish with bait, so for 'attract' it is seldom the word you want: it really means to lure or tempt someone with something offered as bait.

Choose 「引きつける」 for the general sense of attracting people or hearts, 「引く」 when the thing drawn is named (attention, interest, sympathy), 「引き寄せる」 for drawing someone or something closer, and 「釣る」 only for luring with bait or temptation.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 引きつけるひきつけるto attract
• 吸い付けるすいつけるto attract
• 吸い寄せるすいよせるto draw in
• 手繰り寄せるたぐりよせるto haul in (e.g. rope, net, etc.)
• 釣り込むつりこむto take in
• 惹くひくto draw (attention, sympathy, etc.)
• 惹きつけるひきつけるto charm
• 引くひくto draw (attention, sympathy, etc.)
• 引き寄せるひきよせるto attract
• 釣るつるto lure in