Translation guide
The physical act of lying flat on the ground, often as a gesture of worship, submission, or extreme exhaustion. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific verbs and nouns that distinguish between religious prostration, deep bowing (including the formal dogeza), and collapsing from fatigue.
To prostrate oneself as an act of worship, typically in a religious context such as Buddhism, by kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground.
The general term for prostration, often used in religious or formal contexts. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (平伏する).
彼は仏壇の前で平伏した。
He prostrated himself before the Buddhist altar.
Literally 'throwing the five body parts to the ground' (knees, elbows, forehead). A Buddhist term for full prostration. Often used in the phrase 五体投地する.
巡礼者たちは五体投地して祈りを捧げた。
The pilgrims prostrated themselves and offered prayers.
Worship or adoration, which may include prostration. More general than prostration alone, but can imply it in context.
彼は神に礼拝した。
He worshipped God (possibly involving prostration).
To perform a deep, formal bow while kneeling and placing one's hands and head on the ground, used to express extreme apology or to make a desperate request.
The culturally specific act of kneeling and bowing deeply until the head touches the ground. Commonly used in dramatic apologies or pleas. Often used as a suru-verb (土下座する).
彼は上司に土下座して謝った。
He prostrated himself before his boss to apologize.
土下座して頼めば、許してくれるかもしれない。
If you prostrate yourself and beg, he might forgive you.
To fall down or lie flat due to extreme tiredness, heat, or sickness, not as a deliberate act.
To fall down, collapse. The most common verb for falling over from exhaustion or illness. Intransitive.
彼は疲れ果てて床に倒れた。
He collapsed on the floor from exhaustion.
To stretch out and lie flat, often from exhaustion or drunkenness. Casual. Intransitive.
To collapse from exhaustion, to be worn out. Very casual. Intransitive.
To be in a state of complete submission, helplessness, or mental collapse, without necessarily a physical action.
To be crushed, overwhelmed, or prostrated by grief, shock, or misfortune. Intransitive.
彼は悲しみに打ちひしがれていた。
He was prostrated with grief.
Submission, yielding, surrender. Often used in contexts of giving in to pressure or authority. Suru-verb (屈服する).
土下座 (dogeza) is a specific cultural act of deep apology or supplication, often seen in dramatic situations. 平伏 (heifuku) is a more general term for prostration, often in religious or formal ceremonial contexts. While both involve touching the head to the ground, dogeza carries strong connotations of begging forgiveness, whereas heifuku is more about worship or deep respect.
In English, 'prostration' can mean extreme physical weakness. In Japanese, avoid direct translations like 平伏 for this meaning. Use verbs like 倒れる (collapse) or 伸びる (lie flat) instead.
A four-character idiom meaning 'bowing one's head and prostrating oneself', used figuratively for a deep, humble apology. Not necessarily a physical prostration.
彼は平身低頭して謝罪した。
He apologized with deep humility (literally, prostrating himself).
He got drunk and passed out flat on the street.
I walked all day and collapsed from exhaustion.
彼は敵に屈服した。
He submitted (prostrated himself) to the enemy.