hincar la rodilla
/inkaɾ la ɾodiʝa/from spelling rules
To take a knee in Spanish is hincar la rodilla.
This phrase is used to describe the action of lowering one's body by placing a knee on the ground, frequently as a gesture of respect or during a marriage proposal.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb hincar literally means to thrust, drive or pierce something into a surface, which describes the physical action of driving the knee into the ground.
Which one should you use?
While hincar la rodilla emphasizes the physical act of driving the knee down, the reflexive verb arrodillarse is a more general way to say 'to kneel'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is conjugated using the verb hincar. For example, the third-person singular past tense is hincó la rodilla (he/she/it took a knee). If a person is kneeling on both knees, the noun changes to the plural form: hincar las rodillas.
How do you pronounce it?
/inkaɾ la ɾodiʝa/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Por favor, arrodíllese usted durante la ceremonia.Please take a knee during the ceremony.
- Debe adoptar la postura de rodillas antes de recibir su condecoración.You must take a knee before receiving your medal.
- Él decidió hincar la rodilla ante el rey.He decided to take a knee before the king.
- El caballero fue a hincar la rodilla para la ceremonia.The knight went to take a knee for the ceremony.
Example conversation
Javier is proposing to Elena in a park.
- JavierElena, quiero pasar el resto de mi vida contigo.Elena, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
- Elena¡No puede ser! ¡Dime que es verdad!No way! Tell me it's true!
- JavierJavier decide hincar la rodilla y saca el anillo.Javier decides to take a knee and takes out the ring.
- Elena¡Sí, acepto casarme contigo!Yes, I accept to marry you!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hincar, la, rodilla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
