Japanese

をつく

ほおづえをつく
Meaning: to rest one’s cheek on one’s hand; to prop up one’s face
Part of Speech: Verb, Expression

Listen to pronunciation

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 頬杖をつく 頬杖をつかない
Polite 頬杖をつきます 頬杖をつきません
Past 頬杖をついた 頬杖をつかなかった
Polite + Past 頬杖をつきました 頬杖をつきませんでした
Te-form 頬杖をついて 頬杖をつかなくて
Potential 頬杖をつける 頬杖をつけない
Passive 頬杖をつかれる 頬杖をつかれない
Causative 頬杖をつかせる 頬杖をつかせない
Causative + Passive 頬杖をつかされる 頬杖をつかされない
Imperative 頬杖をつけ 頬杖をつくな

Example

頬杖をつくと、肩が凝ることがあります。
When you prop your cheek on your hand, your shoulder can become stiff.

Usage Notes

This expression describes the familiar seated posture of supporting the cheek with one hand, often with the elbow on a desk. It can suggest boredom, fatigue, or simply a relaxed posture.

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