しがみつく

• Reading: しがみつく
• Romaji: shigamitsuku
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.ɡa.mi.t͡sɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

To cling to; to hold on tightly; to hang on desperately to a person or thing.

A Group 1 (godan) verb written in hiragana, conveying the image of gripping something out of desperation or strong emotion. While it can describe a physical act (a child clinging to a parent), it frequently appears in metaphorical contexts: clinging to power, to one's past, or to a dream. The implication is often one of tenacity bordering on stubbornness or desperation.

Examples

1. 幼い子が母親の腕にしがみついて泣いていた。 A small child clung to its mother's arm and wept.
2. 彼はどんな批判を受けても自分の信念にしがみついた。 No matter what criticism he faced, he clung to his convictions.
3. 地位にしがみつく政治家ほど国民の信頼を失うものだ。 Politicians who cling to their position tend to lose the trust of the public.

Usage Guide

Context: emotion, physical contact, politics, desperation

Tone: emotional

Origin & History

Of uncertain etymology, but likely related to しがむ (to clench, to bite down) combined with つく (to attach, to stick). The word has been used colloquially since at least the Edo period to describe desperate physical or emotional clinging.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General