引き出し

ひきだし

drawer

JLPT N4

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"引き出し" primarily means "drawer," referring to the sliding compartment in furniture like desks or cabinets. It is a common noun used in everyday contexts when talking about storing or retrieving items.

Common Collocations

  • 引き出しを開ける (open a drawer): used when physically opening the drawer.
  • 引き出しから取り出す (take out from a drawer): used when removing something stored inside.
  • 引き出しに入れる (put into a drawer): used when placing items inside.

Usage Notes

This word is typically used in casual and formal contexts alike, as it is a straightforward noun. Be careful not to confuse it with the verb 引き出す (ひきだす), which means "to pull out" or "to withdraw" and is related but distinct. "引き出し" as a noun always refers to the physical drawer.

Practical Tips

When talking about furniture or organizing items, "引き出し" is the go-to word for "drawer." It helps learners to remember common phrases like "引き出しを開ける" or "引き出しにしまう" to describe everyday actions involving drawers.

Example Sentences

つくえのひきだしにぺんをいれました。

I put the pen in the desk drawer.

かれはひきだしからふるいしゃしんをとりだした。

He took out old photos from the drawer.

ひきだしをあけると、しょるいがたくさんはいっていた。

When I opened the drawer, there were many documents inside.