Japanese word

突く

Pronunciation

Romajitsuku

Meaning

  • verbpoke

Example

私は友達の肩を指で突きます。watashi wa tomo dachi no kata o yubi de tsu ki ma su

I poke my friend's shoulder with my finger.

Illustration for 突く (poke)

More examples

授業中に隣の子を突いてはいけません。ju gyō chū ni tonari no ko o tsu i te wa i ke ma se n

Do not poke the child next to you during class.

Core concept

It conveys a small, deliberate push that makes contact with a particular spot without necessarily breaking the surface.

Common phrases

  • 指で突くyubi de tsu ku

    poke with a finger

  • 肩を突くkata o tsu ku

    poke someone in the shoulder

Similar words

つつくtsutsuku: To press or touch something lightly and repeatedly with a finger or another narrow object.
小突くkozuku: To push someone or something lightly, usually with a finger, hand, or elbow.

Definition in Japanese

指や棒などの先を物に当て、押すようにして刺激する。yubi ya bō na do no saki o mono ni a te o su yō ni shi te shi geki su ru

Word origin

突く (tsuku, "to poke or thrust") is a native Japanese verb, and 突き (tsuki) is its continuative form used in compounds describing a forward thrust.

Usage tips

  • The English verb poke often describes a playful or attention-getting touch, which makes it milder than stab in ordinary conversation.

Other meanings

  • prickverb
  • stabverb

Related words

  • 突き方tsukikataway of pokingnoun

Word lists with this word