つま先立ち
tsumasakidachi
The English verb 'tiptoe' translates to Japanese as つま先立ち (tsumasakidachi).
While つま先立ち refers to the position or act itself, you can use the idiomatic expression 抜き足差し足 to more descriptively describe the act of walking stealthily or cautiously.
Meaning: to walk quietly (verb)
Which one should you use?
抜き足差し足 is an idiomatic expression specifically used when describing a stealthy or cautious manner of walking.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe the manner in which one walks (specifically, walking on tiptoe), you can add the particle で to the noun to form the adverbial phrase つま先立ちで.
How do you pronounce it?
tsumasakidachi
Did you know?
- The idiom 抜き足差し足 is often used in descriptions of traditional Japanese dance and the stealthy movements of ninjas in folklore.
- The expression 抜き足差し足 (nukiashi sashiashi) literally translates to 'extracting feet and inserting feet'. It mimics the rhythmic, careful movement of removing one foot and placing the next without making a sound.
- The word つま先 for 'toe' shares a root with the word for 'pinch' or 'tip', reflecting the precise point of contact with the floor.
Examples in context
- 彼はいつも爪先で歩く癖がある。He has a habit of walking on tiptoe.
- つま先立ちで歩く。tsumasakidachi de aruku.Walk on tiptoe.
- 赤ちゃんが、つま先立ちで歩いています。akachan ga, tsumasakidachi de aruite imasu.The baby is walking on tiptoe.
- 寝ている子供を起こさないように、つま先立ちで歩きました。nete iru kodomo o okosanaiyouni, tsumasakidachi de arukimashita.I walked on tiptoe so as not to wake the sleeping child.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are trying to sneak into a room.
- 陽太 Yota静かにしよう。つま先立ちで歩いて。shizuka ni shiyou. tsumasaki dachi de aruite.Let's be quiet. Walk on tiptoe.
- 陽葵 Himari分かった。陽太、先に進んで。wakatta. Youta, saki ni susunde.Got it. Yota, you go first.
- 陽太 Yotaあそこに誰かいるみたいだ。asoko ni dareka iru mitai da.It looks like someone is over there.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵に見つからないように気をつけて。Himari ni mitsukaranai you ni ki o tsukete.Be careful not to be seen by Himari.
