How to say "tug" in Japanese

• 引くひくJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe common, all-purpose verb of pulling; 'to tug' — a short, forceful pull — is one of its senses, and it also covers leading a horse. Use it for the action of tugging.
  カーテンがゆっくり引ひかれた。↗

  The curtains were drawn slowly.
• 曳船えいせん
  nounNot the action but the vessel: a tugboat or towboat, the boat that pulls other ships. Use this when English 'tug' means the boat itself; it is a less common word.
• 引きひき
  nounA noun meaning 'a tug'. It is less common, however, and to describe the action of tugging the verb 引く is the usual choice, so this is seldom the word you want.
  その釣り人つりびとは釣り糸つりいとに強つよい引ひきを感かんじた。↗

  The angler felt a strong tug on the line.

For the action of tugging use the common verb 「引く」; for the boat that tows ships use 曳船; 「引き」 is the noun 'a tug' but is less common, so the verb usually does the job.

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

• 引くひくto pull
• 曳船えいせんtugboat
• 引きひきtug