つつく・突く・突付くtsutsuku[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. godan verb, transitive verbto poke (repeatedly, lightly); to nudge
   藪やぶをつついてヘビを出だす。↗

   It's not good to wake a sleeping snake.

   きつつきは、長ながく尖とがったくちばしで、木きの幹みきをつついて、中なかにいる虫むしを食たべます。↗

   Woodpeckers peck tree trunks with their long pointed beaks and eat insects found there.
2. godan verb, transitive verbto peck at (one's food); to pick at
3. godan verb, transitive verbto peck at (someone's faults, etc.)
4. godan verb, transitive verbto egg on; to put up to

• Synonym小突くこづくNeutralA single light poke or push with a hand, elbow or stick, as in 「肘で小突く」; often affectionate or teasing, while 「つつく」 pokes repeatedly.
• Related突き上げるつきあげるNeutralPushes up from below or, figuratively, pressure from subordinates, as in 「部下に突き上げられる」; the upward direction is what sets it apart from 「つつく」.
• Related促すうながすNeutralUrges someone on or promotes something, as in 「注意を促す」; leans toward written or formal prose, with no physical poking.
• Related駆り立てるかりたてるNeutralDrives or spurs someone on, as in 「不安に駆り立てられる」; stresses being pushed by emotion, not physical contact.
• Related刺すさすNeutralPierces or stabs through, as in 「針を刺す」; the point is penetration, while 「つつく」 is only light, surface-level poking.
• RelatedつっつくCasualColloquial emphatic form of 「つつく」: repeated poking or picking at faults. Keep it to casual speech.
• Related突き動かすつきうごかすNeutralPushes something into motion, or drives someone on, as in 「衝動に突き動かされる」; mostly used with emotions and impulses, unlike the light pokes of 「つつく」.
• Related突き立てるつきたてるNeutralStabs hard or plants something upright, as in 「旗を突き立てる」; the point is forceful thrusting in, not light repeated poking.
• Related掻き立てるかきたてるNeutralStirs something up, such as a fire, or arouses feelings, as in 「好奇心を掻き立てる」; the focus is on stirring or rousing, not repeated light pokes.
• RelatedせっつくCasualColloquial: pesters someone again and again to act, as in 「早くしろとせっつく」; urging only, no poking.
• Related責め立てるせめたてるNeutralCriticizes harshly or presses hard, as in 「失敗を責め立てる」; relentless blame, much stronger than 「つつく」 picking at faults.

Use 「つつく」 for repeated light poking, pecking at food or picking at faults (「鳥が餌をつつく」「欠点をつつく」). For piercing say 「刺す」; for pestering or urging say 「せっつく」「促す」; for driving someone on say 「駆り立てる」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 軽かるく連続れんぞくして突つく。
2. 突つくように食たべる。
3. せき立たてる。けしかける。
4. 欠点けってんなどを取り立とりたてて責せめる。