Japanese

ける

たむける
Meaning: to offer (flowers, incense, etc.); to pay tribute
Part of Speech: Verb

Listen to pronunciation

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 手向ける 手向けない
Polite 手向けます 手向けません
Past 手向けた 手向けなかった
Polite + Past 手向けました 手向けませんでした
Te-form 手向けて 手向けなくて
Potential 手向けられる 手向けられない
Passive 手向けられる 手向けられない
Causative 手向けさせる 手向けさせない
Imperative 手向けろ 手向けるな

Handwriting

手
向
け
る

Example sentences

She offered flowers to the grave of the deceased.
古い冷土荒堆に花を手向ける人の姿が見える
I can see someone offering flowers at the old burial mound.
代々続く塋域に花を手向けた。
I offered flowers at the family's ancestral graveyard.

Usage Notes

Originally referred to offerings made to gods or spirits for safe travel (tamuke). Now mainly used for offerings to the deceased.

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