Japanese word

仰向け

Pronunciation

Romajiaomuke

Meaning

  • nounon one's back

Example

私は仰向けで寝ます。watashi wa ao mu ke de ne ma su

I sleep on my back.

Illustration for 仰向け (on one's back)

More examples

医師の指示で、検査台に仰向けになります。i shi no shi ji de ken sa dai ni ao mu ke ni na ri ma su

Following the doctor's instructions, I lie on my back on the examination table.

Core concept

Describes a position with the back against a surface and the face turned upward.

Common phrases

  • 仰向けに寝るao mu ke ni ne ru

    sleep on one's back

  • 仰向けになるao mu ke ni na ru

    lie on one's back

Similar words

仰向きaomuki: A position with the face or front of the body turned upward.
上向きuwamuki: A position or direction facing upward that does not necessarily describe lying on the back.
仰臥位gyōgai: A medical term for a position lying on the back with the face upward.

Definition in Japanese

背中を下にして、顔を上に向けた姿勢。se naka o shita ni shi te kao o ue ni mu ke ta shi sei

Word origin

仰向け (aomuke) is related to the Japanese verb 仰向く (aomuku, "to face upward") and names the resulting face-up position; its exact historical formation is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • English uses "on one's back" for this body position, while "face up" focuses on the direction of the face, so the two expressions overlap but are not always interchangeable.

Opposites

  • うつ伏せutsubuseface downnoun

Word lists with this word