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這いつくばう (はいつくばう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
grovel ; crawl on all fours ; go down on hands and knees
Describes the physical action of lowering oneself to the ground and moving on hands and knees, often in a desperate or submissive manner. Can be used literally or figuratively.
See also: 這い蹲る
犬いぬ
が
怖こわ
がっ
て
這は
いつくばっ
て
いる
。
The dog is cowering and crawling on its belly.
Written forms 這は いつくばう Usage 70%
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
はいつくばう Usage 25%
Kana spelling; used when the kanji are avoided or for clarity.
這は い 蹲つくば う Usage 5%
Full kanji spelling; 蹲 is not a jōyō kanji, so this form is less common.
Similar words 這は う 這う is a general verb for crawling or creeping, while 這いつくばう specifically implies lowering the body close to the ground in a groveling or desperate posture.
四よ つん 這ば い 四つん這い is a noun meaning 'on all fours,' describing the posture itself, whereas 這いつくばう is a verb emphasizing the action of groveling or crawling with the body pressed low.
Etymology Compound of 這い (continuative form of 這う 'crawl') + つくばう ('crouch, squat'). The exact origin of つくばう is uncertain, but it is related to 蹲う (つくばう), meaning to crouch or squat down.
