What is the Kanji for 'Muscle' and 'Tendon'? | 筋

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Muscle' and 'Tendon', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Muscle' and 'Tendon' is 筋.

kanji

筋

Meaning

Muscle, Tendon

Reading

kunyomiすじ

suji

onyomiきん

kin

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)肋

Example Word

筋: line or muscle. The Japanese noun '筋 (すじ)' has two primary meanings. First, it refers to 'muscle', as in the fibrous tissue in the body that contracts to produce movement. For example: I pulled a muscle「筋を痛めた」(すじをいためた). Second, it can mean 'line', referring to a long, narrow mark or a sequence of reasoning. For example: There's a line on the paper「紙に筋がある」(かみにすじがある). The word is versatile and context-dependent, so its meaning can shift based on usage. Another example: The story follows a clear line of reasoning「その話は筋が通っている」(そのはなしはすじがとおっている).

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

805

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 筋

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

radical

⺮

Meaning

Bamboo

Radical Form Of

竹

component

肋

Words Using 筋

This kanji is used in 4 words:

word

筋

Meaning

Line, Muscle

word

筋肉

Meaning

Muscle

word

筋道

Meaning

Logic, Sequence

word

粗筋

Meaning

Outline

Kanji Related to 筋 Through the Part ⺮

These 18 kanji contain the part ⺮ as well.

kanji

算

Meaning

Calculate

kanji

簡

Meaning

Simplicity

kanji

符

Meaning

Token, Symbol

kanji

第

Meaning

Ordinal number

kanji

等

Meaning

Equal

kanji

笑

Meaning

Laugh

kanji

筆

Meaning

Brush

kanji

筒

Meaning

Pipe, Cylinder

kanji

管

Meaning

Pipe

kanji

節

Meaning

Season, Node

kanji

策

Meaning

Plan, Policy

kanji

築

Meaning

Build, Fabricate

kanji

範

Meaning

Model, Pattern

kanji

籍

Meaning

Enroll, Register

kanji

箱

Meaning

Box

kanji

箇

Meaning

Item, Counter for articles

kanji

箸

Meaning

Chopsticks

kanji

籠

Meaning

Cage, Basket

Learn the Kanji 筋

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 筋 mean?

筋 means 'Muscle' and 'Tendon'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

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