這はいつくばる

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い

つ

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Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

grovel; get down on hands and knees

Describes the physical action of lowering oneself to the ground, often in a desperate or submissive manner. Can be used literally or figuratively.

Written forms

這はいつくばるUsage59%
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling; the verb is often written this way.
はいつくばるUsage39%
Kana spelling; used when the kanji are considered difficult or for emphasis.
這はい蹲つくばるUsage2%
Full kanji spelling using 蹲; less common and may be harder to read.

Kanji

這crawl, creep, grovel
蹲crouch, squat, cower

Similar words

這はう
這う means 'to crawl' in a general sense, while 這いつくばる specifically implies lowering oneself close to the ground, often with a nuance of desperation or submission.
平伏ひれふす
平伏す is a more formal or literary word for prostrating oneself, often in a ritual or deeply respectful context, whereas 這いつくばる can be used for both physical crawling and figurative groveling.

Etymology

Compound of 這い (continuative form of 這う 'crawl') + つくばる ('crouch, squat'). The exact derivation of つくばる is uncertain, but it is likely related to 蹲る (つくばる/うずくまる) meaning 'to crouch'.