首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)る

くびをたてにふる
expression
to nod (in agreement); to say yes; to give one's consent
communication
1. to nod (in agreement); to say yes; to consent
To nod one's head vertically, indicating agreement or approval. Often used in the negative to describe someone refusing to agree.
彼(かれ)はなかなか首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)らない。
He refuses to say yes.
やっと父(ちち)が首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)ってくれた。
My father finally gave his approval.
どんなに説得(せっとく)しても、彼女(かのじょ)は首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)ろうとしなかった。
No matter how much I tried to persuade her, she wouldn't agree.

Usage

More often used in the NEGATIVE (首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)らない) to describe refusal or reluctance to agree. The affirmative is used when emphasizing that consent was finally obtained.
More vivid and emphatic than simply 同意(どうい)する (to agree) or うなずく (to nod). Often used when the agreement or refusal is significant or hard-won.

Similar words

Common patterns

  • なかなか首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)らない (won't easily agree)
  • やっと首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)る (to finally agree)
  • 首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)ろうとしない (to refuse to agree)

Related Words

Compare: 首(くび)を横(よこ)に振(ふ)る (to shake one's head no)
Related: 頷(うなず)く (to nod)

Related Articles

Body-Part Idioms
general
Added 2026.3.7 16:42 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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