踵
kakato[ka̠ka̠to̞]
The Japanese word for heel (anatomy) is 踵 (kakato). Wiktionary also lists ヒール (hīru).
Meaning: anatomy: part of the foot (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 踵 | kakato | [ka̠ka̠to̞] (narrow) [kɯ̟bʲiisɨ] (narrow) |
| ヒール | hīru | [çiːɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term 踵 specifically refers to the anatomical heel of a foot.
Which one should you use?
While 踵 refers to the anatomical part of the foot, the katakana loanword ヒール is used to refer to high-heeled shoes.
How do you pronounce it?
kakato
Did you know?
- In Japanese professional wrestling, a villain is called a ヒール, a term directly imported from the English wrestling concept of a 'heel' character.
- The kanji 踵 traces its phonetic evolution from the ancient forms kubiisu to the modern kubisu, a shift hidden within its historical reading.
- Japanese has a specific cultural association between ヒール and the 'office lady' or 'OL' aesthetic, where high heels are a symbol of professional femininity.
Examples in context
- この靴のヒールが高くて、とてもオシャレです。The heels on these shoes are high, so they're very fashionable.
- 踵を痛めました。kakato o itamemashita.I hurt my heel.
- 踵の皮が硬いです。kakato no kawa ga katai desu.The skin on my heel is hard.
- 踵をぶつけました。kakato o butsukemashita.I bumped my heel.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are walking in a park.
- 健太 Kenta歩くのが遅いね。どうしたの？aruku no ga osoi ne. doushita no?You're walking slowly. What's wrong?
- 陽葵 Himari踵が少し痛いんです。kakato ga sukoshi itai n desu.My heel hurts a little.
- 健太 Kenta大丈夫？無理しないで。daijoubu? muri shinai de.Are you okay? Don't push yourself.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。少し休みます。arigatou gozaimasu. sukoshi yasumimasu.Thank you. I will rest for a bit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heel” translations and entries 踵, ヒール, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ヒール, 踵, CC BY-SA 4.0.
