Japanese word

首

Pronunciation

Romajikubi

Meaning

  • nounneck

Example

首が痛いです。kubi ga ita i de su

My neck hurts.

Illustration for 首 (neck)

More examples

長時間同じ姿勢でいると、首が凝ります。chō ji kan ona ji shi sei de i ru to kubi ga ko ri ma su

Your neck gets stiff when you stay in the same position for a long time.

Core concept

Forms the flexible connection between the head and the torso, allowing the head to move.

Common phrases

  • 首が凝るkubi ga ko ru

    have a stiff neck

  • 首を守るkubi o mamo ru

    protect the neck

  • 首を動かすkubi o ugo ka su

    move your neck

Similar words

喉nodo: The front part of the neck that contains the passage for air and food.
首筋kubisuji: The area along the back of the neck.
首元kubimoto: The area around the neck, especially near the collar.

Definition in Japanese

頭と胴をつなぐ部分。atama to dō o tsu na gu bu bun

Word origin

首 (kubi) is a native Japanese noun recorded in Old Japanese as kubi, but its deeper origin and internal structure are uncertain.

Usage tips

  • 首 (kubi) appears in the phrase 首を長くして待つ (kubi o nagashite matsu), which describes waiting with eager expectation.

Word lists with this word