Translation guide
How to express 'clinging' in Japanese, covering physical adhesion, emotional dependence, and persistent attachment.
Describing something that sticks tightly to a surface or object.
A common, casual verb meaning 'to stick to' or 'to cling to'. Used for objects, people, or substances.
A grain of rice is clinging to my clothes.
Means 'to stick fast' or 'to cling tightly', often implying a flat surface or strong adhesion.
My shirt was clinging to my back with sweat.
Describes something that clings annoyingly or persistently, like wet clothes or a child.
The wet clothes are clinging to my body and feel gross.
Describing a person who is emotionally needy or excessively attached to someone.
Means 'to depend on' or 'to be dependent'. Used for emotional or psychological clinging.
He is too emotionally clinging to his girlfriend.
An adverb meaning 'clingy' or 'inseparable', often used for people who stick close to someone.
Literally 'to cling to' or 'to hold on tightly', can metaphorically mean emotional clinging.
Describing someone who stubbornly refuses to let go of an idea, belief, or hope.
くっつく is a general, everyday word for sticking or clinging, while 張り付く implies a tighter, flatter adhesion, often used for things like posters or wet clothes.
The poster is clinging to the wall. (general)
The poster is stuck fast to the wall. (stronger adhesion)
Directly translating 'clinging' as くっつく for emotional dependence can sound odd. Use 依存する or べったり instead.
彼女はいつも彼にべったりだ。
She is always clinging to him.
He is clinging to past memories.
She is still clinging to her old lover.