Translation guide
Describes the action of putting both hands down onto the ground, often as part of a posture, exercise, or ritual.
To put both hands on the ground, e.g., to support oneself, start an exercise, or assume a position.
The most natural and common way to say 'place both hands on the ground'. つく means to place or touch a body part onto a surface.
四つん這いになる前に、まず両手を地面につきます。
Before getting on all fours, first place both hands on the ground.
To place both hands on the ground as a gesture of respect, apology, or supplication, such as in a deep bow (土下座).
Same phrase as above, but used in a formal apology or supplication context. Often part of 土下座 (どげざ).
彼は謝罪のため、両手を地面について深く頭を下げた。
He placed both hands on the ground and bowed deeply to apologize.
To assume a starting position with hands on the ground, e.g., for push-ups, sprints, or yoga.
Often used in instructions; つける implies attaching or placing firmly. Common in sports contexts.
スタートの合図で、両手を地面につけて構えてください。
At the start signal, place both hands on the ground and get ready.
つく is the idiomatic choice for placing body parts on a surface. 置く is more literal and often used for objects. For hands on the ground, つく is preferred.
Choose the right word for the surface: 地面 (ground outdoors), 床 (floor indoors), マット (mat), 畳 (tatami), etc.
Literally 'put both hands on the ground'. Slightly more literal and less idiomatic than つく, but still correct.
腕立て伏せをするときは、両手を地面に置いてください。
When doing push-ups, please place both hands on the ground.
Use when the surface is a floor (床) rather than the ground outside. Common for indoor exercises.
ヨガのポーズで両手を床につきます。
In the yoga pose, place both hands on the floor.
More literary or formal variant using 地 (ち) for 'ground/earth'. Often found in written descriptions of traditional scenes.
武士は両手を地について平伏した。
The samurai placed both hands on the ground and prostrated himself.
Use when the surface is a mat (マット), common in gym or yoga settings.
まず両手をマットについて、四つん這いになります。
First, place both hands on the mat and get on all fours.