吸(す)い取(と)る

すいとる
godan verb
to suck up; to absorb; to blot
1. to suck up, to absorb, to blot
To draw liquid or moisture into something by suction or absorption.
スポンジで水(みず)を吸(す)い取(と)る。
To soak up water with a sponge.
こぼれたジュースを布(ぬの)で吸(す)い取(と)った。
I blotted up the spilled juice with a cloth.
吸(す)い取(と)り紙(がみ)でインクの余分(よぶん)な水分(すいぶん)を吸(す)い取(と)る。
Use blotting paper to absorb the excess moisture from the ink.
2. to drain, to siphon off, to exploit
To take away someone's energy, wealth, or resources gradually. Used figuratively.
養分(ようぶん)を吸(す)い取(と)る。
To suck up nutrients.
高(たか)い手数料(てすうりょう)で利益(りえき)を吸(す)い取(と)られた。
The profits were drained by high fees.
あの会社(かいしゃ)は下請(したう)けから利益(りえき)を吸(す)い取(と)るだけで、まともに対価(たいか)を払(はら)わない。
That company just siphons profits from subcontractors without paying fair compensation.

USAGE:
The literal meaning (sense 1) is common in daily life. The figurative meaning (sense 2) often carries a negative nuance of exploitation.

CONJUGATION:

Godan verb (五段動詞(ごだんどうし)), る-ending (godan, not ichidan).

  • Negative: 吸(す)い取(と)らない
  • Polite: 吸(す)い取(と)ります
  • Te-form: 吸(す)い取(と)って
  • Past: 吸(す)い取(と)った

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 水分(すいぶん)を吸(す)い取(と)る: to absorb moisture
  • 吸(す)い取(と)り紙(がみ): blotting paper
  • 養分(ようぶん)を吸(す)い取(と)る: to absorb nutrients
  • 利益(りえき)を吸(す)い取(と)る: to siphon off profits
general
Added 2026.2.19 20:44 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
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