1.
to kneel; to go down on one's knees
To lower oneself onto one's knees, often as a gesture of respect, reverence, or submission.
神様の前で跪く。
To kneel before God.
王様に跪いて許しを乞う。
To kneel before the king and beg for forgiveness.
彼は彼女の前で跪いてプロポーズした。
He knelt before her and proposed.
跪く is a formal verb indicating the act of kneeling, typically associated with showing respect, worship, or making formal requests.
CONJUGATION (godan verb):
- 跪く (dictionary form)
- 跪かない (negative)
- 跪いた (past)
- 跪いて (te-form)
USAGE NOTE:
This word is more literary/formal than simply saying 膝をつく (to put one's knees down). It emphasizes the reverent or submissive nature of the action.