Japanese word

膝

Pronunciation

Romajihiza

Meaning

  • nounknee

Example

膝が痛いです。hiza ga ita i de su

My knee hurts.

Illustration for 膝 (knee)

More examples

右の膝を曲げます。migi no hiza o ma ge ma su

I bend my right knee.

子どもを膝に乗せて、本を読みます。ko do mo o hiza ni no se te hon o yo mi ma su

I put the child on my lap and read a book.

Core concept

It refers to the leg's bending joint and to the lap created by the bent legs when someone sits.

Common phrases

  • 膝に乗せるhiza ni no se ru

    put on one's lap

  • 膝に乗るhiza ni no ru

    sit on one's lap

  • 膝を抱えるhiza o kaka e ru

    hug one's knees

Definition in Japanese

脚の中ほどで曲げ伸ばしをする関節。また、座った人の腿の上にある、物や人を受ける部分。ashi no naka ho do de ma ge no ba shi o su ru kan setsu ma ta suwa tta hito no momo no ue ni a ru mono ya hito o u ke ru bu bun

Word origin

The word 膝 (hiza) belongs to native Japanese vocabulary, and its written form uses the Chinese character 膝; no secure older derivation is established.

Usage tips

  • English separates knee and lap, but Japanese connects both meanings in 膝 (hiza), as shown when 膝に乗る (hiza ni noru) means getting onto someone's lap.

Other meanings

  • lapnoun

Word lists with this word