膝
hiza[çiza̠]
The Japanese word for "knee" is 膝 (hiza).
膝 refers to the joint in the middle of the leg and the area around it.
Meaning: joint in the middle of the leg and area around it (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
hiza
Did you know?
- The word 膝 can be part of the idiom 膝を打つ, meaning 'to strike one's knees', which describes the sudden realization of a great idea.
- The expression 膝を突き合わせる literally means 'to put knees together', but it refers to having a frank, honest and deep conversation to settle a dispute.
- In the Japanese language, the concept of 'kneeling' as a sign of respect or apology involves a specific ritual called seiza, where one sits with legs folded under the 膝.
Examples in context
- 膝が痛いな。My knee hurts.This sentence is useful for expressing that your 膝 hurts.Tatoeba #8720692 by small_snow, translation #2751027 by sharptoothed
- 膝がすごく痛い。My knee hurts a lot.This sentence is useful for expressing that your 膝 hurts a lot.Tatoeba #4836756 by Ako, translation #3736723 by CK
- 膝がまだ痛むの？Does your knee still hurt?This sentence is useful for asking if someone's 膝 still hurts.Tatoeba #9819100 by small_snow, translation #9819094 by CK
- 彼はひざを怪我した。He injured his knee.
- 私はひざを曲げることができます。I can bend my knee.
- ひざを鍛える運動をしています。I am doing exercises to strengthen my knees.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta is sitting on the floor exercising, and Himari approaches him.
- 陽葵 Himari膝をぶつけたの？Hiza o butsuketa no?Did you hit your knee?
- 健太 Kentaうん、少し膝が腫れているよ。Un, sukoshi hiza ga harete iru yo.Yeah, my knee is a little swollen.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫？無理しないでね。Daijoubu? Muri shinai de ne.Are you okay? Don't push yourself.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう。少し休むよ。Arigatou. Sukoshi yasumu yo.Thanks. I'll rest a bit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knee” translations and entries 膝, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
