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額ずく (ぬかずく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
kowtow ; prostrate oneself ; bow deeply with forehead touching ground
Describes a formal, reverent bow from a kneeling position where the forehead touches the ground. Historically associated with deep respect or submission, often in ceremonial or religious contexts. In modern usage, it can be used figuratively for extreme deference.
昔むかし
の
中ちゅう
国ごく
で
は
、
皇こう
帝てい
に
額ぬか
ずく
の
が
礼れい
儀ぎ
だっ
た
。
In old China, kowtowing to the emperor was the proper etiquette.
Kanji 額 forehead, tablet, plaque 突 stab, protruding, thrust Similar words 土ど 下げ 座ざ 土下座 is a more common modern term for kneeling and bowing deeply (often in apology), while 額ずく specifically emphasizes the forehead touching the ground and carries a more archaic or ceremonial nuance.
平伏ひれふ す 平伏す means to lie flat on the ground in submission or reverence, similar to 額ずく but without the specific kneeling posture; 額ずく focuses on the bowing motion from a kneeling position.
Etymology Compound of 額 (nuka, 'forehead') + 突く (tsuku, 'to touch, strike'), with the verb ending shifting to ずく (voiced). The kanji 叩頭 is ateji. The exact historical derivation of the reading is uncertain.
strike, beat, kow tow
頭 head, counter for large animals 
