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.
彼はなかなか首を縦に振らない。
He refuses to say yes.
やっと父が首を縦に振ってくれた。
My father finally gave his approval.
どんなに説得しても、彼女は首を縦に振ろうとしなかった。
No matter how much I tried to persuade her, she wouldn't agree.
USAGE:
More often used in the NEGATIVE (首を縦に振らない) to describe refusal or reluctance to agree. The affirmative is used when emphasizing that consent was finally obtained.
CONTRAST:
- 首を縦に振る (to nod yes)
- 首を横に振る (to shake one's head no)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- なかなか首を縦に振らない (won't easily agree)
- やっと首を縦に振る (to finally agree)
- 首を縦に振ろうとしない (to refuse to agree)
NUANCE:
More vivid and emphatic than simply 同意する (to agree) or うなずく (to nod). Often used when the agreement or refusal is significant or hard-won.