すがりつく

す

が

り

つ

く

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

cling to; hold onto desperately; depend on

usually written using kana alone

Describes physically clinging to someone or something, often out of desperation or need. Also used figuratively for emotional dependence.

子こどもが母はは親おやにすがりついて泣ないた。
The child clung to his mother and cried.

彼かれは最さい後ごの望のぞみにすがりついた。

He clung to his last hope.

Written forms

すがりつくUsage83%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 縋りつく and 縋り付く are rare.
縋すがりつくUsage11%
Rare kanji spelling; the kanji 縋 is not commonly used.
縋すがり付つくUsage5%
Rare kanji spelling; the kanji 縋 is not commonly used.
すがり付つくUsage2%
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; less common than the pure kana form.

Kanji

縋cling, hang on, depend
付adhere, attach, refer to

Similar words

しがみつく
しがみつく is more forceful and physical, often implying holding on tightly with one's whole body, while すがりつく can be more emotional or desperate.
頼たよる
頼る is a general verb for relying on someone or something, without the physical or desperate nuance of すがりつく.

Etymology

Compound of すがる (to cling, to rely on) and つく (to attach, to stick). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination emphasizes a strong, desperate clinging.