抜く
nuku
From beginning to end; completely
V-ます-stem + 抜く expresses doing an action completely, thoroughly, from start to finish, often with a sense of perseverance or extremity.
How to form it
Attach to the ます-stem (連用形) of a verb, e.g., やり抜く, 走り抜く, 考え抜く. The pattern is V-ます-stem + 抜く.
What it means
This pattern emphasizes that an action is carried out to the very end, without giving up or leaving anything incomplete. It often implies effort, endurance, or going all the way. For example, やり抜く means to do something through to the end, even if it's tough. 考え抜く means to think something through completely, leaving no stone unturned. The meaning is stronger than just doing the action; it adds a nuance of 'to the utmost' or 'thoroughly'.
Example sentences
最後まで走り抜いた。
Saigo made hashiri nuita.
I ran all the way to the end.
この問題を考え抜いて、やっと答えが出た。
Kono mondai o kangaenuite, yatto kotae ga deta.
After thinking this problem through thoroughly, I finally got the answer.
彼はどんな困難にも負けずに、自分の信念を貫き抜いた。
Kare wa donna konnan ni mo makezu ni, jibun no shinnen o tsuranuki nuita.
He endured without yielding to any hardship and carried through his convictions to the end.
Don’t confuse it with
～切る
Both express completion, but ～切る often means 'to cut off' or 'to do completely' with a sense of finality, e.g., 使い切る (use up). 抜く stresses persistence and going through to the end, often with effort, while 切る can be more neutral. For actions of enduring, 抜く is more natural.
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This pattern is used in both spoken and written Japanese, but it often appears in formal or literary contexts, especially when describing someone's determination or thorough effort. In casual conversation, you might hear it, but it carries a serious tone.
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What does 抜く mean?
From beginning to end; completely. V-ます-stem + 抜く expresses doing an action completely, thoroughly, from start to finish, often with a sense of perseverance or extremity.
How do you form 抜く?
Attach to the ます-stem (連用形) of a verb, e.g., やり抜く, 走り抜く, 考え抜く. The pattern is V-ます-stem + 抜く.
Example of 抜く in a sentence
最後まで走り抜いた。 — I ran all the way to the end.
～切る — what is the difference?
Both express completion, but ～切る often means 'to cut off' or 'to do completely' with a sense of finality, e.g., 使い切る (use up). 抜く stresses persistence and going through to the end, often with effort, while 切る can be more neutral. For actions of enduring, 抜く is more natural.
What JLPT level is 抜く?
JLPT N2 (upper intermediate), number 133 of 195 in Nihoner's learning order for N2.
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