Translation and Meaning of: 敷く - shiku

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 敷く (しく). It appears in various contexts, from everyday descriptions to more formal expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, as well as tips for memorizing it correctly. If you seek to understand how this word functions in the Japanese language, you have come to the right place.

Meaning and usage of 敷く

敷く (しく) is a Japanese verb that means "to spread," "to place on a surface," or "to apply." It is often used to describe actions such as laying out a carpet, placing a floor, or even applying a coat of paint. For example, 布団を敷く (futon o shiku) means "to lay out the futon," something common in daily life in Japan.

Besides the physical sense, 敷く can also have a more abstract meaning, as in 規則を敷く (kisoku o shiku), which translates to "establish rules." This versatility causes the word to appear in different contexts, from informal conversations to more technical texts.

Origin and writing in kanji

The kanji 敷 is composed of the radical 攵 (ぼくづくり), which is related to manual actions, and the part 尃, which used to represent the idea of "spreading." This combination reinforces the meaning of "placing something on a surface." The reading しく is the most common, but this same kanji can also be read as "fu" in words like 敷物 (shikimono), which means "carpet."

It is worth noting that 敷く is not an extremely rare verb, but it is also not among the most common ones. It appears more in specific contexts, such as descriptions of arrangements or constructions. Its correct usage demonstrates a good command of Japanese vocabulary.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to memorize 敷く is to associate it with concrete actions, such as "putting a rug on the floor." Creating simple sentences like 床にマットを敷く (yuka ni matto o shiku - "putting a rug on the floor") helps to solidify the verb in memory. Another tip is to pay attention when you hear or read the word in animes, dramas, or texts.

Avoid confusing 敷く with similar verbs like 置く (oku - "to put") or 広げる (hirogeru - "to spread"). While 敷く implies covering a surface, 置く is more generic and 広げる suggests expansion. Knowing these differences is essential for using the term naturally.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 敷く

• 敷く Base form
• 敷かない negative form
• 敷きました Past form
• 敷くでしょう conditional form

Synonyms and similar words

• 敷設する (Shiketsu suru) - Establish or install (usually referring to infrastructures such as railways or cables).
• 広げる (Hirogeru) - Enlarge or expand (usually used to describe the action of widening something horizontally).
• 張る (Haru) - Extend or stretch (can refer to extending a material such as paper or fabric).
• 敷く (Shiku) - Place or spread (usually used to describe the act of putting something on a surface).
• 鋪く (Hiraku) - Asphalt or pave (referring to the act of covering a surface with a hard material).
• 敷き詰める (Shikitsumeru) - Fill or completely cover (used to describe the act of densely filling an area).
• 敷き布団を敷く (Shikibuton o shiku) - To set up a futon.
• 敷物を敷く (Shikimono o shiku) - Place a rug (referring to the act of putting a rug in an area).
• 敷居を敷く (Shikii o shiku) - Place a threshold (usually referring to the action of arranging or setting a physical limit with a ground limit).
• 敷地を敷く (Shikichi o shiku) - Prepare the ground (referring to the act of arranging or preparing a space before construction).

敷く

Romaji: shiku
Kana: しく
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: to spread

Meaning in English: to spread out;to lay out

Definition: To spread something on the floor, etc.

Example Sentences - (敷く) shiku

See below some example sentences:

床に敷く

yuka ni shiku

put on the floor.

placed on the floor

• 床 (yuka) - means "floor" or "ground"
• に (ni) - is a particle that indicates the location of an action
• 敷く (shiku) - means "to place" or "to extend"

So the phrase "床に敷く" means "put down".

カーペットを敷くと部屋が暖かくなる。

Kāpetto wo shiku to heya ga atatakaku naru

Lying a rug warms the room.

• カーペット - tapete
• を - article indicando objeto direto
• 敷く - colocar (tapete)
• と - Article indicating a condition or reason
• 部屋 - sala
• が - Article indicando sujeito
• 暖かく - warm
• なる - para se tornar

絨毯を敷くと部屋が暖かくなります。

Jūtan o shiku to heya ga atatakaku narimasu

Put a rug to heat the room.

• 絨毯 - mat
• を - object particle
• 敷く - place, spread
• と - Comparison particle
• 部屋 - Room, living room
• が - subject particle
• 暖かく - Hot, warm
• なります - becomes

シートを敷いてください。

Shiito wo shiite kudasai

Please put the sheet.

Please put the sheet.

• シート (shīto) - plastic or fabric sheet to protect or cover something
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 敷いて (shīte) - "put" or "lay" in the imperative
• ください (kudasai) - polite expression of request or solicitation