How to say 'Head' or 'Neck' in Japanese | 首

Wondering how to say 'Head' or 'Neck' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Head or Neck is 'Kubi', written as 首 in Japanese.'Head' or 'Neck' in hiragana is くび.

word

首

Meaning

Head, Neck

Reading

くび

kubi

Kanji

首Neck

Explanation

The Japanese noun '首 (くび)' primarily means 'neck', referring to the part of the body connecting the head to the rest of the body. It can also mean 'head' in certain contexts, such as when referring to the leader of an organization or group. For example: my neck hurts「首が痛い」(くびがいたい). The company's head resigned「会社の首が辞任した」(かいしゃのくびがじにんした). The word can also be used metaphorically, as in 'to save one's neck (to avoid trouble)'「首をすくめる」(くびをすくめる).

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

608

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 首

This word contains 1 kanji character:

kanji

首

Meaning

Neck

Words Related to 首 Through the Kanji 首

These 5 Words contain the Kanji 首 as well.

word

首相

Meaning

Prime minister

word

足首

Meaning

Ankle

word

首脳

Meaning

Leader

word

首都

Meaning

Capital

word

手首

Meaning

Wrist

Learn the Word 首

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What does 'Kubi' (首) mean?

'Kubi' means 'Head' or 'Neck' .

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