すくむ

Also written 竦む

Meanings

1. Godan verb, Intransitive to freeze (from fear, etc.); to be unable to move (e.g. from surprise); to be paralyzed (with horror, etc.)
2. to cower; to shrink in on oneself

Example sentences

• ヘビを見て足がすくんでしまった。
  I froze at the sight of the snake.
• ヘビは小動物や小鳥をにらんですくませるといわれている。
  Snakes are said to mesmerize small animals and birds.
• 彼女は熊を見かけて身がすくんだ。
  She froze at the sight of the bear.
• 彼女は大きなクモをみて身がすくんだ。
  She froze at the sight of the big spider.

Related forms

• すくめる to shrug (shoulders) (transitive partner)

Words containing すくむ

• 立ちすくむ (たちすくむ) to be petrified
• 足がすくむ (あしがすくむ) to freeze (from fear)
• 居すくむ (いすくむ) to be unable to move while seated (because of fear, surprise, etc.)

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists