ひれ伏す
hirefusu
The Japanese phrase for "bow down" is ひれ伏す (hirefusu).
ひれ伏す is used to describe an act of extreme, dramatic or absolute submission. This involves prostrating oneself before a deity, a monarch or a powerful enemy.
Meaning: to bend oneself as a gesture of respect or deference (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
This literally suggests the way a fish lies flat.
How do you pronounce it?
hirefusu
Did you know?
- While standard Japanese bowing is a polite social ritual, ひれ伏す is almost exclusively reserved for high-stakes fiction, such as samurai dramas or fantasy epics. Using it in a real-life apology would sound absurdly theatrical, as if you were a character in a myth.
- The act of prostrating oneself to apologize deeply is called 土下座, where the person literally puts their forehead on the ground.
- Historically, the act of prostrating oneself was a requirement when audiences were granted an audience with the Emperor of Japan in the Imperial Palace.
Examples in context
- 強大な力にひれ伏すしかない。Kyodai na chikara ni hirefusu shikanai.There is no choice but to bow down to the mighty power.
- 王の前でひれ伏す者はいない。Ō no mae de hirefusu mono wa inai.There is no one who will bow down before the king.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are discussing a scene from a historical movie.
- 陽太 Yotaこの映画のシーンはすごいね。Kono eiga no shiin wa sugoi ne.This movie scene is amazing, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiみんなが同時にひれ伏すところかな。Minna ga douji ni hirefusu tokoro kana.I guess you mean the part where everyone bows down at once.
- 陽太 Yotaうん、とても緊張感があるよ。Un, totemo kinjoukan ga aru yo.Yeah, it's very intense.
- 結衣 Yui本当に圧倒されるよね。Hontou ni attou sareru yo ne.It's truly overwhelming.
