Meaning

Primary

To Be Leaned

Alternative

To Be Tilted

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means lean, and the verb vocab version means to be leaned or to be tilted. You aren't doing the leaning or the tilting, though, you're just watching, which is why you say "cool" () when you see it, because it's already done.

Reading

かたむく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

When you need a moon to be leaned, your best option is to cut a moon (かたむ) in half. It's impossible for a full moon to be tilted, but a split moon can lean one way or the other.

Context

Context Sentences

その松の木は、少し南の方向へ傾いています。

That pine tree leans a bit toward the south.

Kanji Composition