あたま かた ひざ つまさき
atama kata hiza tsumasaki
To say head, shoulders, knees and toes in Japanese, say あたま かた ひざ つまさき (atama kata hiza tsumasaki).
These are the words used for the Japanese version of the children's song and dance.
What does it mean word for word?
あたま (atama) means head, かた (kata) means shoulders, ひざ (hiza) means knees and つまさき (tsumasaki) means toes. Head can also be written in kanji as 頭.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized atama kata hiza tsumasaki.
What mistakes should you avoid?
つまさき refers to the tips of the toes rather than the whole foot, so do not use it for foot.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word for 'tips of the toes', つまさき ('tsumasaki'), is also used metaphorically to describe the 'leading edge' or 'forefront' of a movement or a trend.
- In Japanese, the word あたま ('head') is used in the idiom あたまをさげる ('to lower the head') to signify a deep apology or an act of humility.
- The word かた ('shoulder') is a homophone for another word meaning 'form' or 'pattern' used in the disciplined practices of martial arts and tea ceremonies.
Examples in context
- あたま かた ひざ つまさき をさしましょう。atama kata hiza tsumasaki o sashimashou.Let's point to the head, shoulders, knees, and toes.
- あたま かた ひざ つまさき の歌が大好きです。atama kata hiza tsumasaki no uta ga daisuki desu.I love the head, shoulders, knees, and toes song.
- あたま かた ひざ つまさき を順番に歌おう。atama kata hiza tsumasaki o junban ni utao.Let's sing head, shoulders, knees, and toes in order.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are playing with a child at home.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、一緒に あたま かた ひざ つまさき を歌おう。Yui, issho ni atama kata hiza tsumasaki o utaouYui, let's sing head, shoulders, knees, and toes together.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですよ。蓮さん、準備はいいですか？ii desu yo. Ren-san, junbi wa ii desu kaI'd love to. Ren, are you ready?
- 蓮 Renはい！あたま かた ひざ つまさき、ポンポン！hai! atama kata hiza tsumasaki, pon ponYes! Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, clap clap!
- 結衣 Yuiあはは、とても速いですね！ahaha, totemo hayai desu neHahaha, that's very fast!
