GRAMMAR
〜ぬく
do to the end
completely
Explanation
NOTE
〜ぬく means to do something through to the very end, especially despite hardship or difficulty.
最後まで走りぬいた。
I ran through to the very end.
Implies the runner persevered through the entire distance despite exhaustion.
NOTE
It strongly emphasizes completion despite struggle — finishing what is hard, painful, or long.
NOTE
Attach 〜ぬく to the verb ます-stem (走ります → 走りぬく, 戦います → 戦いぬく).
STRUCTURE
Vます
ぬく昨日は最後まで走りぬいた。
Kinou wa saigo made hashirinukita.
I ran all the way to the end yesterday.
彼は困難を苦労しながらもやりぬいた。
Kare wa konnan o kurou shinagara mo yarinukita.
He completed the task through to the end, despite having a hard time with the difficulties.
長い会議で、みんな意見を言いぬいた。
Nagai kaigi de, minna iken o iinukita.
During the long meeting, everyone spoke their minds completely to the end.
フルマラソンを走りぬいた。
Furu marason o hashirinuita.
I ran a full marathon through to the end.
最後まで戦いぬくつもりだ。
Saigo made tatakainuku tsumori da.
I intend to fight through until the very end.
苦しい時期を生きぬいた。
Kurushii jiki o ikinuita.
I survived through a painful period.
Practice exercises
1
なにやら難しい挑戦らしいが、最後までやりぬく。
It seems to be something of a difficult challenge, but I will do it to the end.
Answer
ぬく
2
自分の信念を貫きぬく風に生きる。
I live in such a way as to stick completely to my beliefs.
Answer
ぬく
3
何から何まで考えぬく必要がある。
It is necessary to think everything through completely.
Answer
ぬく
4
どんな逆境でも戦いぬく強さだ。
It is the strength to fight through any adversity to the end.
Answer
ぬく
5
苦難に耐えて、最後まで歩みぬく。
Endure hardships and walk to the end.
Answer
ぬく