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What is the Kanji for 'Neck'? | 首

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Neck' is 首.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Neck

    Reading

    kunyomiくび

    kubi

    onyomiしゅ

    shu

    Parts

    Herbs Self

    Example Word

    首相: prime minister. The Japanese noun '首相 (しゅしょう)' refers to the 'prime minister', who is the head of government in Japan. This term is specifically used to denote the leader of the cabinet and the chief executive of the country. The prime minister is appointed by the emperor after being designated by the National Diet. For example: The prime minister held a press conference「首相は記者会見を行った」(しゅしょうはきしゃかいけんをおこなった). The prime minister visited the disaster area「首相は被災地を訪れた」(しゅしょうはひさいちをおとずれた). It's important to note that '首相' is a formal title and is used in both written and spoken contexts when referring to the head of the government.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    351

    Radical Form

    𦣻

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

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

    radical

    Meaning

    Herbs

    kanji

    Meaning

    Self

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Way

Words Using

This kanji is used in 6 words:

    word

    Meaning

    Head, Neck

    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

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 7 kanji contain the part 䒑 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Before, Front

    kanji

    Meaning

    Business

    kanji

    Meaning

    Line, Row

    kanji

    Meaning

    Follow, Obey

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beans

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hill

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 5 kanji contain the part 自 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Body, Self

    kanji

    Meaning

    Breath

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rest

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nose

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stinking, Bad smell

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 首 mean?

首 means 'Neck'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

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