Japanese

をつく

ひざをつく
Meaning: to kneel; to touch one's knees to the ground; to surrender
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

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

Handwriting

膝
を
つ
く

Example

He knelt on the ground and begged for forgiveness.

Usage Notes

Refers to the physical act of kneeling, but often metaphorically implies submission, surrender, or deep apology.

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