突つく

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

poke; prod; thrust; stab

Broad physical action of pushing a pointed or narrow object against something. Covers poking, prodding, stabbing, and thrusting. Common in everyday contexts.

• 指ゆびで彼かれの背せ中なかを突ついた。

  I poked his back with my finger.

• 槍やりで敵てきを突つく。

  Thrust at the enemy with a spear.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

use a cane; prop oneself up; press against

Used when leaning on a stick, cane, or pressing something against a surface for support. Often with 杖 (cane) or 床 (floor).

• おじいさんは杖つえを突ついて歩あるいている。

  The old man walks using a cane.

• 床ゆかに手てを突ついて謝あやまった。

  He pressed his hands against the floor and apologized.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

attack; strike

Figurative or direct attack; often used in set phrases like 不意を突く (take by surprise) or 弱点を突く (exploit a weakness).

• 敵てきの弱じゃく点てんを突つく作さく戦せんを立たてた。

  We devised a strategy to attack the enemy's weak point.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

brave; face (weather)

Only when written 衝く

Used when braving bad weather, especially rain or wind. Common in literary or formal contexts; 衝く is often used for this sense.

• 彼かれは雨あめを衝ついて出でかけた。

  He went out braving the rain.