1.
to poke, to thrust, to stab
To push or strike something with a pointed or narrow object, or with a forward motion.
棒で突いた。
I poked it with a stick.
嘘を突く。
To tell a lie.
嘘をつく is a fixed expression. Often written in kana only.
2.
to prop, to lean on
To rest part of the body against a surface, or to use something as support. Often used for elbows on a table or walking with a cane.
肘をテーブルに突かないでください。
Please don't put your elbows on the table.
杖を突きながら歩く。
To walk while using a cane.
子供が肘をテーブルに突くのを見て、母が注意した。
Seeing the child prop their elbows on the table, the mother scolded them.
突く means to poke or thrust with a forward motion. It is also used for propping or leaning body parts on a surface.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 嘘をつく: to tell a lie
- 肘をつく: to put one's elbows (on a table)
- 杖をつく: to use a cane
- 膝をつく: to kneel (put one's knees to the ground)
- 溜め息をつく: to sigh
NOTE: Many of these expressions are commonly written in kana (つく) rather than with the kanji 突く.
HOMOPHONES:
- 付く: to be attached, to stick
- 着く: to arrive
- 就く: to take up (a position)
Related Words
Homophone:
付く (to be attached)
Homophone:
着く (to arrive)
Homophone:
就く (to take up a position)