しがみつく
しがみつく
verb (godan)
to cling to; to hold on desperately
1.
to cling to, to hold on tightly, to clutch
To grab onto something or someone tightly and refuse to let go, either physically or figuratively. Often implies desperation.
子どもが母親にしがみついた。
The child clung to their mother.
強い風の中、柱にしがみついた。
I held on tightly to the pillar in the strong wind.
過去の栄光にしがみつくのではなく、新しいことに挑戦すべきだ。
Instead of clinging to past glory, you should take on new challenges.
CONJUGATION:
- しがみつかない（否定）
- しがみつきます（丁寧）
- しがみついて（て形）
- しがみついた（過去）
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜にしがみつく: to cling to ...
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 母親にしがみつく: to cling to one's mother
- 命にしがみつく: to cling to life
- 過去にしがみつく: to cling to the past
- 地位にしがみつく: to cling to one's position
USAGE: Physical clinging implies fear or need for comfort. Figurative uses carry a negative connotation of refusing to let go of something one should release.