伏せて
fusete
In Japanese, 'get down' is translated as 伏せて (fusete).
伏せて is a command used to tell someone to lower their body quickly to avoid danger. This command is used in high-stress situations, such as during an explosion, gunfire or when someone needs to hide behind cover.
What does it mean word for word?
伏せて is the te-form of the verb 伏せる, which means to place something face down or to lie prone.
Which one should you use?
While 伏せて is the standard form, other versions exist depending on the desired tone. The imperative form 伏せろ is a much harsher, more forceful command than the default 伏せて. In contrast, adding ください to the end makes the command a polite request rather than a sudden shout, resulting in 伏せてください.
How do you pronounce it?
fusete
Did you know?
- In a way that is counterintuitive to English speakers, if you are telling someone to 'get down' from a high place, like a ladder, you would not use 伏せて. Instead, you would use a phrase related to 'descending' or 'going down'.
- In Japanese dog training, 伏せ is the standard command for 'down' or 'lie down', making the phrase instantly recognizable to any pet owner.
- The verb 伏せる is also used to describe the act of keeping a secret, as in the phrase 伏せ字 which refers to masking characters in a text with symbols.
Examples in context
- バスから下りてくださいPlease get down from the bus
- 山から降りてくださいPlease get down from the mountain
- バスから降りようLet's get down from the bus
- 木から降りろ！Get down from the tree!
- 危ない！伏せて！Abunai! Fusete!Watch out! Get down!
- 早く伏せて！Hayaku fusete!Get down quickly!
- 弾が飛んできた、伏せて！Tama ga tondekita, fusete!Bullets are flying, get down!
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are running through a training exercise when a loud noise occurs.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、伏せて！Yui, fusete!Yui, get down!
- 結衣 Yuiえっ、何が起きたの？E, nani ga okita no?Eh, what happened?
- 蓮 Renとにかく、早く伏せて！Tonikaku, hayaku fusete!Anyway, get down quickly!
- 結衣 Yuiわかった、伏せるわ！Wakatta, fuseru wa!Okay, I'll get down!
