1.
to place one's hands on the ground; to support oneself with one's hands
To place one's palms flat on the floor or ground, either to support oneself (when falling, getting up) or as part of a formal bow or apology.
転んで手をついた。
I fell and caught myself with my hands.
畳に手をついて深くお辞儀をした。
I placed my hands on the tatami and bowed deeply.
彼は床に手をついて謝罪し、誠意を見せようとした。
He placed his hands on the floor and apologized, trying to show his sincerity.
A versatile expression with two main usage contexts: (1) physically bracing oneself when falling or getting up from the ground, and (2) performing a deep formal bow (placing hands on the floor while kneeling) as a sign of respect, gratitude, or apology.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 畳に手をつく: to place hands on the tatami (formal bow)
- 地面に手をつく: to put hands on the ground
- 手をついて謝る: to apologize with hands on the floor
CULTURAL NOTE:
The gesture of kneeling and placing both hands on the floor (土下座) is an extreme form of 手をつく and represents the deepest possible bow in Japanese culture, expressing profound apology or supplication.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 土下座する: to prostrate oneself — the most extreme form, forehead touching the floor
- お辞儀をする: to bow — the general act of bowing, usually standing