1.
on all fours; crawling position; hands and knees
The posture of being down on both hands and both knees, like a crawling baby or an animal. Used to describe the physical position itself.
四つん這い describes the posture of being on all fours — both hands and both knees on the ground. Comes from 四つ (four) + 這い (crawling).
Common patterns
- 四つん這いになる: to get on all fours
- 四つん這いで進む: to move forward on all fours
- 四つん這いの姿勢: all-fours posture
- 四つん這いで探す: to search on all fours
Usage
Describes a physical posture, not a movement verb. Typically used with になる (to assume the position) or で (while in the position). Common contexts include babies crawling, searching under furniture, or moving through low spaces.