頭こうべを垂たれる

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

Literary or formal expression for lowering one's head, often in shame, respect, or defeat. The reading こうべ is somewhat archaic and poetic.

彼かれは恥はずかしさのあまり、深ふかく頭こうべを垂たれた。
Overcome with shame, he bowed his head deeply.
敗はい者しゃは皆みな、頭こうべを

垂た

れ

て

会かい

場じょう

を

去さ

っ

た

。

All the losers left the venue with their heads hung low.

2

expression, ichidan verb

droop (ears of grain)

Used poetically for grain ears bending under their own weight, suggesting a rich harvest. This is a figurative extension of the head-bowing sense.

黄こ金がね色いろの稲いな穂ほが頭こうべを垂たれる季き節せつになった。
It is the season when the golden ears of rice droop.

Written forms

頭こうべを垂たれる
Standard kanji form using 頭 for こうべ. This is the most common written form.
首こうべを垂たれる
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; 首 can also be read くび, so this spelling may cause confusion.

Kanji

頭head, counter for large animals
垂droop, suspend, hang
首neck, counter for songs and poems

Similar words

うなだれる
うなだれる is a more common, everyday verb for hanging one's head in dejection. 頭を垂れる is more formal and literary.
お辞じ儀ぎをする
お辞儀をする is a general term for bowing as a greeting or gesture of respect. 頭を垂れる implies a deeper, more emotional lowering of the head.

Etymology

The phrase combines 頭 (こうべ, an archaic reading for 'head') with 垂れる (to hang down). こうべ is a classical term, giving the expression a formal, literary tone.