Japanese word

肩

Pronunciation

Romajikata

Meaning

  • nounshoulder

Example

肩が痛いです。kata ga ita i de su

My shoulder hurts.

Illustration for 肩 (shoulder)

More examples

右の肩にかばんをかけます。migi no kata ni ka ba n o ka ke ma su

I put my bag on my right shoulder.

重いかばんを肩にかけています。omo i ka ba n o kata ni ka ke te i ma su

I am carrying a heavy bag over my shoulder.

Core concept

Names the body area where the neck meets the arm, with the sense extending to what rests on or is borne by that area.

Common phrases

  • 肩にかけるkata ni ka ke ru

    carry over one's shoulder

  • 肩が凝るkata ga ko ru

    have stiff shoulders

  • 肩に手を置くkata ni te o o ku

    put a hand on someone's shoulder

  • 肩をもむkata o mo mu

    massage someone's shoulder

Definition in Japanese

首の付け根から腕の付け根にかけての、左右に張り出した部分。kubi no tsu ke ne ka ra ude no tsu ke ne ni ka ke te no sa yū ni ha ri da shi ta bu bun

Word origin

肩 (kata) is a native Japanese noun, not a Sino-Japanese compound; the kanji 肩 originally means "shoulder" in Chinese.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, 肩 (kata) often appears when people talk about carrying things, choosing clothes, or describing physical discomfort.

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