へばりつく

へ

ば

り

つ

く

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

cling to; stick to; lie flat against

usually written using kana alone

Describes something pressing or sticking closely to a surface, often with a sense of being flattened or spread out. Can be used for people, objects, or substances.

汗あせでシャツが背せ中なかにへばりつく。
The shirt clings to my back with sweat.

疲つか

れ

て

床ゆか

に

へばりつく

よう

に

寝ね

て

しまっ

た

。

Exhausted, I ended up lying flat on the floor as if stuck to it.

Written forms

へばり付つくUsage5%
Kanji spelling with 付く; usually written in kana.
へばりつくUsage95%
Kana spelling is the most common and recommended form for learners.

Kanji

付adhere, attach, refer to

Similar words

張はり付つく
張り付く also means to stick or cling, but often implies a tighter, more rigid attachment, like being glued or frozen in place, whereas へばり付く suggests a softer, more flattened or spread-out clinging.
くっつく
くっつく is a more general and colloquial word for sticking or adhering, without the nuance of being flattened or spread out that へばり付く carries.

Etymology

The exact derivation is uncertain. The initial element へばり may be related to the mimetic root へば (suggesting flatness or spreading), combined with 付く (つく, 'to stick').