1.
lap pillow, resting one's head on someone's lap
The act of lying down and resting one's head on another person's lap, or offering one's lap as a pillow. An intimate gesture associated with closeness and comfort between romantic partners or family members.
彼女に膝枕をしてもらった。
I had my girlfriend let me rest my head on her lap.
子供が母親の膝枕で眠っている。
The child is sleeping with their head on their mother's lap.
疲れた彼はソファで妻の膝枕に甘え、そのまま寝てしまった。
Tired, he indulged in resting his head on his wife's lap on the sofa and fell asleep like that.
USAGE:
A compound of 膝 (knee/lap) and 枕 (pillow). Can be used as a noun or with する. The person offering their lap is the subject of 膝枕をする, while the person resting is the subject of 膝枕をしてもらう. A common motif in Japanese popular culture, anime, and manga as a symbol of intimacy and comfort.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 膝枕をする: to offer one's lap as a pillow
- 膝枕をしてもらう: to have someone let you rest on their lap
- 膝枕で寝る: to sleep on someone's lap