()

つく
verb (godan)
to poke, to thrust, to prop
See also: () (be attached, stick), () (take up a position), () (arrive)
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present()()かない
Present polite()きます()きません
Past()いた()かなかった
Past polite()きました()きませんでした
て form()いて()かなくて
ている present()いている()いていない
ている polite()いています()いていません
ている past()いていた()いていなかった
ている past polite()いていました()いていませんでした
Conditional ば()けば()かなければ
Conditional たら()いたら()かなかったら
Volitional()こう
Volitional polite()きましょう
Potential()ける()けない
Passive()かれる()かれない
Causative()かせる()かせない
Imperative()()くな
1. to poke, to thrust, to stab
To push or strike something with a pointed or narrow object, or with a forward motion.
(ぼう)()いた。
I poked it with a stick.
(うそ)()く。
To tell a lie.
(うそ)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.
(ひじ)をテーブルに()かないでください。
Please don't put your elbows on the table.
(つえ)()きながら(ある)く。
To walk while using a cane.
子供(こども)(ひじ)をテーブルに()くのを()て、(はは)注意(ちゅうい)した。
Seeing the child prop their elbows on the table, the mother scolded them.

()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(たどうし) (transitive)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • (うそ)をつく: to tell a lie
  • (ひじ)をつく: to put one's elbows (on a table)
  • (つえ)をつく: to use a cane
  • (ひざ)をつく: to kneel (put one's knees to the ground)
  • ()(いき)をつく: to sigh

NOTE: Many of these expressions are commonly written in kana (つく) rather than with the kanji ()く.

HOMOPHONES:

  • ()く: to be attached, to stick
  • ()く: to arrive
  • ()く: to take up (a position)