Translation and Meaning of: 臍 - heso

The Japanese word 「臍」, read as "heso" in hiragana (へそ), has a quite specific and interesting meaning: navel. This term is common in everyday Japanese and can be used literally or in metaphors and expressions that involve the concept of centrality or the middle of something. The word is expressed in kanji, hiragana, and even katakana, depending on the context, but all these forms share the same basic meaning.

Etymologically, 「臍」 is composed of the kanji for "meat" or "flesh with skin" (肉, にく/niku), which shares semantic meaning with many other kanji related to body parts. This kanji reflects the cultural understanding of the navel as a vital and central part of the human body. The kanji and the term can also carry symbolism in various cultures, including Japan, where the navel may represent the center of the body and the connection to prenatal life.

In Japanese culture, the use of the word "heso" transcends anatomy. There is a popular expression known as 「へその緒を切る」 that literally means "to cut the umbilical cord," but metaphorically it is used to signify independence or the transition to adulthood. Additionally, informally, the navel can be associated with health care and well-being practices, given its central role in the human body.

It is interesting to note that the use of "heso" is not limited to just the physical or biological sense. In certain idiomatic expressions, the term can indicate the center or an essential part of something. For example, in states of mood or emotions, there is the concept of "heso ga warau" (へそが笑う), an expression that implies a sarcastic or cynical laugh, as if it comes from the center of the body, demonstrating the strength and intensity of the feeling.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• へそ (heso) - Navel
• へそぐち (hesoguchi) - Belly button; navel opening

臍

Romaji: heso
Kana: へそ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: navel; belly button

Meaning in English: navel;belly-button

Definition: navel. The navel connects to the placenta.

Example Sentences - (臍) heso

See below some example sentences:

臍は人体の中心に位置する。

Sai wa jintai no chūshin ni ichi suru

The navel is located in the center of the human body.

• 臍 (navel) - indicates the part of the human body that is the central point of the abdomen.
• 人体 (corpo humano) - refers to the set of organs, tissues, and systems that make up the human body
• 中心 (centro) - indicates the point or place that is in the middle or at the center of something.
• 位置する (estar localizado) - indicates the position or location of something