首(くび)を振(ふ)る

くびをふる
expression
to shake one's head
1. to shake one's head (in denial or refusal)
To move one's head side to side to indicate 'no' or disagreement.
彼(かれ)は首(くび)を横(よこ)に振(ふ)った。
He shook his head.
「無理(むり)だ」と首(くび)を振(ふ)った。
"It's impossible," he said, shaking his head.
何度(なんど)頼(たの)んでも、彼女(かのじょ)は首(くび)を横(よこ)に振(ふ)るばかりだった。
No matter how many times I asked, she just kept shaking her head.
医者(いしゃ)は黙(だま)って首(くび)を横(よこ)に振(ふ)った。その表情(ひょうじょう)を見(み)て、家族(かぞく)は覚悟(かくご)した。
The doctor silently shook his head. Seeing his expression, the family prepared themselves.
最初(さいしょ)は首(くび)を横(よこ)に振(ふ)っていたが、説得(せっとく)されて最後(さいご)には首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)った。
At first she shook her head no, but after being persuaded, she finally nodded yes.
2. to nod (when vertical)
When specified as vertical movement, indicates agreement or acknowledgment.
最初(さいしょ)は首(くび)を横(よこ)に振(ふ)っていたが、説得(せっとく)されて最後(さいご)には首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)った。
At first she shook her head no, but after being persuaded, she finally nodded yes.
質問(しつもん)に首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)った。
She nodded in response to the question.
子供(こども)は嬉(うれ)しそうに首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)った。
The child nodded happily.
「分(わ)かった？」と聞(き)くと、彼(かれ)は小(ちい)さく首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)った。
When I asked "Do you understand?" he gave a small nod.
大(おお)きく首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)って、賛成(さんせい)の意思(いし)を示(しめ)した。
She nodded emphatically to show her agreement.
「行(い)きたい？」と聞(き)かれて、何度(なんど)も首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)った。とても楽(たの)しみだ。
When asked "Do you want to go?" I nodded repeatedly. I'm really looking forward to it.

STRUCTURE: 首(くび) (neck/head) + を + 振(ふ)る (to shake/swing)

DIRECTION MATTERS:

  • 首(くび)を横(よこ)に振(ふ)る: shake head side to side (no, disagreement)
  • 首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)る: nod (yes, agreement)
  • Without direction specified, usually implies side-to-side (no)

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • うなずく (to nod) - specifically means agreement/understanding
  • 頷(うなず)く (same as above, kanji form)
  • 首(くび)をかしげる (to tilt one's head) - shows puzzlement

CULTURAL NOTE: In Japan, as in most cultures, shaking the head side-to-side means 'no' and nodding means 'yes.' However, Japanese people may also tilt the head or say "うーん" to soften refusal.

Related Words

Related: うなずく (to nod)
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Added 2026.1.18 19:03 · Revised 2026.3.14 21:17
06500/06895_kubiwofuru