Japanese word

頷く

Pronunciation

Romajiunazuku

Meaning

  • verbnod

Example

母は笑って頷きます。haha wa wara tte unazu ki ma su

My mother smiles and nods.

Illustration for 頷く (nod)

More examples

話を理解したことを示すように、彼女は頷きました。hanashi o ri kai shi ta ko to o shime su yō ni kano jo wa unazu ki ma shi ta

She nodded to show that she understood what was said.

Core concept

This verb, 頷く (unazuku, "to nod"), describes a head movement that makes agreement or attentive understanding visible.

Common phrases

  • ゆっくり頷くyu kku ri unazu ku

    nod slowly

  • 無言で頷くmu gon de unazu ku

    nod without speaking

  • 同意して頷くdō i shi te unazu ku

    nod in agreement

Similar words

首肯するshukōsuru: To express agreement or approval through a nod.

Definition in Japanese

話を聞いていることや相手への同意を示し、首を小さく上下させる。hanashi o ki i te i ru ko to ya ai te e no dō i o shime shi kubi o chii sa ku jō ge sa se ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 頷く (unazuku, "to nod") is traditionally connected with 項 (unaji, "nape") and つく (tsuku, "to thrust"), suggesting the action of moving the neck.

Usage tips

  • A nod can show agreement without words, while the related English phrase nod along describes following or approving what someone says.

Other meanings

  • agreeverb

Related words

  • 頷きunazukinodnoun
  • 頷き方unazukikataway of noddingnoun

Word lists with this word