Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
楯突く (たてつく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
defy ; disobey ; rebel against ; oppose ; resist
Used for openly defying or talking back to a person in authority, such as a parent, teacher, or boss. Often carries a nuance of rebellious or confrontational attitude.
親おや に 楯たて 突つ く よう な こと を 言い っ て は いけ ない 。
You shouldn't say things that defy your parents.
Written forms 楯たて 突つ く Usage 37%
Standard kanji spelling; 楯 is the preferred character for 'shield' in this compound.
たてつく Usage 35%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji nuance is not needed.
楯たて つく Usage 20%
盾たて 突つ く Usage 6%
Variant using the more common 盾 character for 'shield'.
たて 突つ く Usage 2%
Kanji 楯 shield, buckler, pretext 突 stab, protruding, thrust 盾 shield, escutcheon, pretext Similar words 反はん 抗こう する 反抗する is a more general term for rebellion or resistance, while 楯突く specifically implies direct verbal opposition or talking back to a superior.
逆さか らう 逆らう means to go against someone's will or orders, but 楯突く emphasizes a confrontational, often disrespectful, attitude.
Etymology Compound of 楯 (tate, 'shield') and 突く (tsuku, 'to thrust'). Literally 'to thrust one's shield against', implying a confrontational stance.
