bow down · conceal

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 伏 relates to lowering the body, placing something face down, or concealing it. 伏す is ふす, and 伏せる is ふせる.
• Basic usage: 地面に伏す means to lie flat on the ground; 茶碗を伏せる means to place a teacup upside down.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Withholding information
  • 名前を伏せる means not revealing a name.
  • It is not restricted to physically turning over something with the name written on it.
• Terrain and emotional changes
  • 起伏, read きふく, describes rises and falls in a road or terrain.
  • 感情の起伏 describes emotional ups and downs, so the word is not limited to landforms.