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しがみつく Japanese meaning | Kotomora

しがみつく

し

が

み

つ

く

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

cling to; hold on tightly

usually written using kana alone

Describes physically gripping something or someone tightly, often with a sense of desperation or not letting go.

子こ供どもが母はは親おやの腕うでにしがみついた。
The child clung to the mother's arm.
彼かれは崖

がけ

の

岩いわ

に

しがみつい

て

助たす

け

を

待ま

っ

た

。

He clung to a rock on the cliff and waited for help.

Written forms

しがみつくUsage99%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form しがみ付く is rare.
しがみ付つくUsage1%
Kanji form is uncommon; kana spelling is preferred.

Kanji

付adhere, attach, refer to

Similar words

すがる
すがる also means to cling or lean on, but often implies emotional dependence or seeking help, while しがみつく emphasizes a physical, desperate grip.
つかまる
つかまる means to hold onto something for support, but is less intense than しがみつく, which suggests a tighter, more desperate hold.

Etymology

The word is a compound of しがみ (mimetic or emphatic element) and つく (to attach). The exact origin of しがみ is uncertain, but it likely conveys a sense of clinging tightly.