伏せる

• Reading: ふせる
• Romaji: fuseru
• Kanji breakdown: 伏 (fuku/fu) — lie down, conceal, prostrate
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.se.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To lie face down; to turn over face-down; to conceal; to hide information.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb with two main senses: (1) to place something face-down or to lie face-down (身を伏せる, to duck/crouch); (2) to withhold or conceal information (名前を伏せる, to withhold one's name). The concealment sense is particularly common in journalism and formal writing, often appearing in passive constructions.

Examples

1. 狙撃手の警告を受けた兵士たちは、素早く地面に身を伏せた。 Warned by the sniper alert, the soldiers quickly threw themselves flat on the ground.
2. 報告書では情報源の名前が伏せられていた。 The names of sources were withheld in the report.
3. 恥ずかしさで顔を伏せたまま、彼女は謝罪した。 Keeping her face down in shame, she offered her apology.

Usage Guide

Context: military, journalism, narrative, emotions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Derived from the classical verb 伏す (fusu), meaning to bow down or prostrate oneself. The kanji 伏 depicts a person (亻) crouching beside a dog (犬), conveying the posture of lying flat or staying hidden.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal