godan verb (-su), intransitive verb
lie face down; lie flat on one's stomach; fall prostrate
Describes a person lying with the front of the body down, often on the ground. Can be voluntary or involuntary.
See also: 伏せる
彼はベッドに伏して泣いていた。
He was lying face down on the bed, crying.
地
During the earthquake, I lay flat under the desk.
godan verb (-su), intransitive verb
bow down; prostrate oneself; bend down in submission
Used for bowing deeply or prostrating oneself as an act of submission, apology, or reverence. Often in formal or dramatic contexts.
See also: 伏して
彼は王の前に伏して許しを請うた。
He prostrated himself before the king and begged for forgiveness.
謝罪のため、社長の前で深く伏した。
He bowed deeply before the company president to apologize.
godan verb (-su), intransitive verb
crouch and hide; conceal oneself
Implies hiding by crouching or lying low, often behind something. Used in physical hiding contexts.
敵に見つからないように茂みに伏した。
I crouched in the bushes to avoid being seen by the enemy.
子供たちは物陰に伏して隠れん坊をした。
The children hid behind something and played hide-and-seek.
godan verb (-su), intransitive verb
lie down (and sleep); go to bed with an illness
Only when written 臥す
Usually written as 臥す. Refers to lying down to rest or sleep, especially when sick. Somewhat literary or old-fashioned.
See also: 臥せる
風邪で三日間床に臥していた。
I was laid up in bed for three days with a cold.
老人は静かに臥して永い眠りについた。
The old man lay down quietly and passed away.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
lay face down; place upside down; turn over (face down)
Transitive use: to place an object with its front side down. Less common than the intransitive senses.
See also: 伏せる
トランプを机に伏して置いた。
I placed the playing cards face down on the table.
本を伏してページを開いたままにした。
I turned the book face down and left it open.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
Transitive use: to hide something or keep it secret. Often used with abstract objects like feelings or information.
See also: 伏せる
彼は真実を伏して嘘をついた。
He concealed the truth and told a lie.
その事件は長い間伏されていた。
The incident was kept secret for a long time.