腕
ude[ɯ̟de̞]
The Japanese word for arm is 腕 (ude).
腕 refers to the upper appendage from the shoulder to the wrist. Idiomatically, it is also used to describe a person's skill or proficiency in a craft or talent, much like the English expression having 'good hands'. For example, the phrase 腕がいい means to be good at something or to have skill.
Meaning: upper appendage from shoulder to wrist (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 腕 (ude) refers to the entire arm from the shoulder to the wrist, the word 手 (te) specifically refers to the hand.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
ude
Did you know?
- While 腕 covers the whole arm, the Japanese word for 'wrist' is 手首, which literally translates to 'hand-neck'.
- The term 腕力 combines 'arm' and 'power' to describe physical strength, but it is often used metaphorically to describe political or social leverage.
- In Japanese, the word 腕 is frequently used as a metaphor for professional skill, particularly in cooking or craftsmanship, where 腕を磨く means to polish or hone one's skills.
Examples in context
- 腕が痛いの？Does your arm hurt?This sentence is useful for asking if someone's 腕 hurts.Tatoeba #10735197 by small_snow, translation #3393260 by CK
- 腕見て、腕。Look at my arm.This sentence is useful for telling someone to look at one's 腕.Tatoeba #11438082 by small_snow, translation #2449372 by Hybrid
- 腕がまだ痛む。My arm still hurts.This sentence is useful for stating that one's 腕 still hurts.Tatoeba #162405 by KK_kaku_, translation #252109 by CK
- 私は右腕を骨折しました。I broke my right arm.
- 昨日サッカーで腕を怪我した。I injured my arm playing soccer yesterday.
- 91 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are at a gym.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんの腕、すごく太いですね。Yota-san no ude, sugoku futoi desu ne.Yota, your arms are very thick.
- 陽太 Yota筋トレを頑張っているからだよ。Kintore o ganbatte iru kara da yo.It is because I am working hard on strength training.
- 美咲 Misaki私も腕を鍛えたいです。Watashi mo ude o kitashitai desu.I want to train my arms too.
- 陽太 Yota一緒に頑張ろう。Issho ni ganbarou.Let's work hard together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arm” translations and entries 腕, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
