Japanese word

右腕

Pronunciation

Romajimigiude

Meaning

  • nounright arm

Example

右腕が少し痛いです。migi ude ga suko shi ita i de su

My right arm hurts a little.

Illustration for 右腕 (right arm)

More examples

荷物を持つときは、右腕に力を入れすぎないでください。ni motsu o mo tsu to ki wa migi ude ni chikara o i re su gi na i de ku da sa i

Please do not strain your right arm too much when carrying a bag.

Core concept

Names the arm on the right side of the body and, by extension, a trusted person who works as someone's closest helper.

Common phrases

  • 右腕を動かすmigi ude o ugo ka su

    move one's right arm

  • 右腕を曲げるmigi ude o ma ge ru

    bend one's right arm

  • 右腕を鍛えるmigi ude o kita e ru

    strengthen one's right arm

Similar words

腹心fukushin: A person trusted with important matters and treated as a close adviser.
側近sokkin: A person who stays close to and assists an important person.
片腕kataude: A person who serves as an essential and trusted helper in work.

Definition in Japanese

体の右側にある腕。また、最も信頼して仕事を任せる人物。karada no migi gawa ni a ru ude ma ta motto mo shin rai shi te shi goto o maka se ru jin butsu

Word origin

右 (migi, "right") + 腕 (ude, "arm") forms a native Japanese compound meaning "right arm"; its figurative sense comes from the arm's role as a dependable helper.

Usage tips

  • The figurative sense of 右腕 (migiude) can describe a trusted helper of any gender, while the English phrase "right-hand man" contains the word "man."

Other meanings

  • right-hand mannoun

Opposites

  • 左腕sawanleft armnoun

Word lists with this word