1.
(with one's) head slightly tilted down; looking down a little
A posture or facial set in which the head is bowed somewhat — often expressing shyness, sadness, or thoughtfulness. Common as a description of demeanor in narration.
彼女はうつむき加減で答えた。
She answered with her head tilted slightly down.
うつむき加減で歩いていたら知り合いとぶつかった。
Walking with my eyes down, I bumped into someone I knew.
叱られた子供はうつむき加減で静かに聞いていた。
The scolded child listened quietly with his head bowed.
Compound of うつむく (to look down, to bow one's head) + 〜加減 (degree; -ish). The 加減 suffix softens to 'a bit' or 'slightly', so the whole phrase is 'a slight downward tilt of the head'.
TYPICAL CONTEXTS:
- Shyness: when meeting someone for the first time
- Sadness or shame: after being scolded, after bad news
- Thoughtfulness: while considering an answer
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 〜加減: -ish; somewhat — also seen in 太り加減 (a bit plump), 疲れ加減 (a bit tired)
- うつむく: to bow one's head — the base verb, used when the action is more pronounced
- 下を向く: to face downward — concrete and physical, no emotional reading