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How to say 'Back' in Japanese | 背中

Wondering how to say 'Back' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Back is 'Senaka', written as 背中 in Japanese.'Back' in hiragana is せなか.

    word

    背中

    Meaning

    Back

    Reading

    せなか

    senaka

    Kanji

    背Back, Height 中Center

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '背中 (せなか)' refers to the 'back' of a person or animal. It specifically denotes the rear part of the body from the neck to the waist. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation and can be used in various contexts, such as describing physical posture, pain, or even metaphorical situations. For example: His back is straight「彼の背中はまっすぐだ」(かれのせなかはまっすぐだ). I have a pain in my back「背中が痛い」(せなかがいたい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe support or reliance, as in 'I rely on my friend's back'「友達の背中に頼る」(ともだちのせなかにたよる).

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    6

    Frequency

    2000

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 背中

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    背

    Meaning

    Back, Height

  • kanji

    中

    Meaning

    Center

Words Related to 背中 Through the Kanji 背

These 5 Words contain the Kanji 背 as well.

  • word

    背

    Meaning

    Height

  • word

    背景

    Meaning

    Background

  • word

    背後

    Meaning

    Behind

  • word

    背負う

    Meaning

    Carry

  • word

    背広

    Meaning

    Suit

Words Related to 背中 Through the Kanji 中

These 45 Words contain the Kanji 中 as well.

  • word

    中

    Meaning

    Inside, Middle

  • word

    中国

    Meaning

    China

  • word

    中心

    Meaning

    Center

  • word

    中々

    Meaning

    Quite, Not easily

  • word

    中央

    Meaning

    Center, Middle

  • word

    中学生

    Meaning

    Middle school student

  • word

    中学校

    Meaning

    Junior high

  • word

    途中

    Meaning

    Midway, On the way

  • word

    中学

    Meaning

    Middle school

  • word

    世の中

    Meaning

    World

  • word

    連中

    Meaning

    Group

  • word

    水中

    Meaning

    Underwater

  • word

    空中

    Meaning

    Sky, Air

  • word

    お中元

    Meaning

    Mid year gift

  • word

    中世

    Meaning

    Middle ages

  • word

    中身

    Meaning

    Contents

  • word

    中間

    Meaning

    Middle, Interim

  • word

    集中

    Meaning

    Concentration

  • word

    夜中

    Meaning

    Midnight

  • word

    真ん中

    Meaning

    Middle

  • word

    最中

    Meaning

    Peak, Middle

  • word

    夢中

    Meaning

    Engrossed

  • word

    暑中見舞い

    Meaning

    Summer greeting

  • word

    日中

    Meaning

    Daytime, Japan China

  • word

    中年

    Meaning

    Middle age

  • word

    年中

    Meaning

    Year round

  • word

    中華

    Meaning

    China, Chinese

  • word

    中止

    Meaning

    Cancellation

  • word

    中古

    Meaning

    Used, Secondhand

  • word

    町中

    Meaning

    Town center

  • word

    中期

    Meaning

    Midterm, Mid phase

  • word

    中指

    Meaning

    Finger, Middle

  • word

    中立

    Meaning

    Neutrality

  • word

    真夜中

    Meaning

    Midnight

  • word

    真っ最中

    Meaning

    Midst

  • word

    中略

    Meaning

    Omission

  • word

    中流

    Meaning

    Middle class

  • word

    中断

    Meaning

    Interruption

  • word

    中継

    Meaning

    Broadcast, Relay

  • word

    女中

    Meaning

    Maid

  • word

    中途

    Meaning

    Midway

  • word

    中枢

    Meaning

    Center

  • word

    中級

    Meaning

    Intermediate

  • word

    中毒

    Meaning

    Addiction

  • word

    中旬

    Meaning

    Midmonth

Learn the Word 背中

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Senaka' (背中) mean?

'Senaka' means 'Back' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.