Translation guide
How to express 'clinging' in Japanese, covering physical adhesion, emotional dependence, and persistent attachment.
Describing something that sticks tightly to a surface or object.
Describing a person who is emotionally needy or excessively attached to someone.
Means 'to depend on' or 'to be dependent'. Used for emotional or psychological clinging.
彼は彼女に依存しすぎている。
He is too emotionally clinging to his girlfriend.
Describing someone who stubbornly refuses to let go of an idea, belief, or hope.
Means 'to adhere to' or 'to stick to' an idea or belief, often with a negative nuance of stubbornness.
彼は自分の意見に固執している。
He is clinging to his own opinion.
くっつく is a general, everyday word for sticking or clinging, while 張り付く implies a tighter, flatter adhesion, often used for things like posters or wet clothes.
ポスターが壁にくっついている。
The poster is clinging to the wall. (general)
ポスターが壁に張り付いている。
The poster is stuck fast to the wall. (stronger adhesion)
Directly translating 'clinging' as くっつく for emotional dependence can sound odd. Use 依存する or べったり instead.
A common, casual verb meaning 'to stick to' or 'to cling to'. Used for objects, people, or substances.
服にご飯粒がくっついている。
A grain of rice is clinging to my clothes.
Means 'to stick fast' or 'to cling tightly', often implying a flat surface or strong adhesion.
汗でシャツが背中に張り付いた。
My shirt was clinging to my back with sweat.
Describes something that clings annoyingly or persistently, like wet clothes or a child.
濡れた服が体にまとわりついて気持ち悪い。
The wet clothes are clinging to my body and feel gross.
An adverb meaning 'clingy' or 'inseparable', often used for people who stick close to someone.
彼女はいつも彼にべったりだ。
She is always clinging to him.
Literally 'to cling to' or 'to hold on tightly', can metaphorically mean emotional clinging.
彼は過去の思い出にしがみついている。
He is clinging to past memories.
Means 'to be attached to' or 'to cling to' something emotionally, like a desire or possession.
彼女は昔の恋人にまだ執着している。
She is still clinging to her old lover.