Translation and Meaning of: 首 - kubi

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 首[くび]. It is common in everyday vocabulary and appears in various contexts, from informal conversations to idiomatic expressions. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and cultural uses of this word, as well as tips for memorizing it efficiently.

首[くび] is a versatile term that can mean "neck" or "head," depending on the context. Additionally, it appears in various Japanese expressions, some of which are rich in cultural meaning. If you want to understand how the Japanese use this word in their daily lives, keep reading to discover fascinating details about its use and history.

Meaning and usage of 首[くび]

The most common meaning of 首[くび] is "neck," referring to the part of the body that connects the head to the torso. However, in certain contexts, it can also be used to refer to the "head" more broadly, especially in idiomatic expressions. For example, 首を傾げる[くびをかしげる] means "to tilt the head" in a gesture of doubt or confusion.

Moreover, 首[くび] appears in phrases like 首になる[くびになる], which means "to be fired" (literally, "to turn into a neck"). This expression originates from the idea that, in the past, beheading was a form of punishment, and today it is used metaphorically for dismissals. This type of usage shows how the word is rooted in culture and everyday language.

Origin and writing of the kanji 首

The kanji 首 is composed of two radicals: 目 (eye) and 自 (oneself). Originally, it represented the image of a head with long hair, evolving into the current meaning of "neck" or "head." Its kun'yomi reading is くび, while the on'yomi is シュ (shu), as in 首都[しゅと] (capital).

An interesting curiosity is that 首 can also appear in words like 首輪[くびわ] (pet collar) and 首飾り[くびかざり] (necklace). These terms show how the kanji maintains its connection to the part of the body, even in different contexts. Studying these examples can help with vocabulary memorization.

Tips for memorizing 首 [くび]

An effective way to remember this word is to associate it with images or everyday situations. For example, think of a necklace (首飾り) around the neck or someone scratching their nape (首をかく). These visual associations make it easier to fix the term in memory.

Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, such as 首が痛い[くびがいたい] ("My neck hurts") or 首を横に振る[くびをよこにふる] ("Shake your head side to side"). Repeating these expressions aloud helps to internalize the vocabulary naturally. If you use apps like Anki, creating flashcards with real examples can be very helpful.

Cultural usage and common expressions

In Japan, 首[くび] appears in various expressions that reflect aspects of the culture. For example, 首を長くして待つ[くびをながくしてまつ] ("to wait anxiously") evokes the image of someone stretching their neck to see something in the distance. This type of figurative language is common in Japanese and reveals how speakers use metaphors in everyday life.

In addition, the word is present in proverbs and popular sayings. One example is 首が飛ぶ[くびがとぶ], which literally means "the head flies," but is used in the sense of "being fired" or "losing a job." These expressions show how Japanese uses parts of the body to convey abstract ideas in a creative way.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• くび (kubi) - Neck
• 首 (kubiwa) - Neck; It can also refer to the head, in specific contexts.
• 首輪 (kubiwa) - Collar (for animals)
• 首元 (kubimoto) - Area around the neck; collar.
• 首筋 (kubisuji) - Neck muscles; area behind the neck.
• 首部分 (kubibun) - Part of the neck; refers to the specific section of the neck.

首

Romaji: kubi
Kana: くび
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: neck

Meaning in English: neck

Definition: A parte that connects the head and the body.

Example Sentences - (首) kubi

See below some example sentences:

私の手首が痛いです。

Watashi no tekubi ga itai desu

My wrist is hurting.

My wrist hurts.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating that "my" is the word being modified
• 手首 (tekubi) - noun meaning "pulse"
• が (ga) - subject particle indicating that "pulse" is the subject of the sentence
• 痛い (itai) - adjective meaning "sore"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates that the sentence is in the present tense and is a polite statement

首脳会議が開かれました。

Shunou kaigi ga hirakaremashita

The leaders meeting was held.

The summit was performed.

• 首脳会議 - leaders meeting
• が - subject particle
• 開かれました - was held/aberta

部首は漢字の構成要素を表します。

Bushu wa kanji no kōsei yōso o hyō shimasu

Bushu represents the structural elements of kanji.

The radical represents the components of Kanji.

• 部首 - means "radical" in Japanese and is used to classify kanji (Japanese ideograms) according to their features and components.
• は - topic marking particle, which indicates that what comes next is the subject of the sentence.
• 漢字 - means "Chinese characters" and refers to the ideograms that were imported from China and adapted into the Japanese language.
• の - possession particle, which indicates that what follows is the possessor or constituent of the object.
• 構成要素 - means "constituent elements" and refers to the strokes and components that make up kanji.
• を - direct object particle, which indicates that what follows is the direct object of the sentence.
• 表します - means "represents" and is the verb that indicates the action that the radicals perform when composing the kanji.

私は自首します。

Watashi wa jishu shimasu

I will turn myself in to the police.

I am myself.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 自首 (jishu) - means "confession" or "surrender" in Japanese
• します (shimasu) - polite form of the verb "to do", used to indicate future action

東京都は日本の首都です。

Tōkyō to wa Nihon no shuto desu

Tokyo is the capital of Japan.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan.

• 東京都 - Tokyo
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 首都 - capital
• です - is

この首飾りは美しいですね。

Kono kubikazari wa utsukushii desu ne

This choker is beautiful

This necklace is beautiful.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 首飾り - noun meaning "glue"
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• ね - ending particle indicating confirmation or a search for agreement

彼は手首を捻った。

Kare wa tekubi wo hineru

He twisted his wrist.

• 彼 (kare) - He
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 手首 (tekubi) - Pulse
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 捻った (nejitta) - Twisted

日本の首相は安倍晋三です。

O primeiro

Minister of Japan is Shinzo Abe

The Japanese Prime Minister is Shinzo Abe.

• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 首相 - Prime Minister
• は - Topic particle
• 安倍晋三 - Shinzo Abe (name of the current Japanese Prime Minister)
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

東京は日本の首都です。

Tōkyō wa Nihon no shuto desu

Tokyo is the capital of Japan.

• 東京 - Tokyo, city name
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan, country name
• の - Possession particle
• 首都 - capital
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

百人一首

Hyakunin Isshu

An anthology of classic Japanese poems.

One hundred people

• 百人一首 - List title