指関節
shikansetsu
The English phrase "knuckles" is translated into Japanese as 指関節 (shikansetsu).
The term refers to the joints of the fingers.
Which one should you use?
While 指関節 is a standard way to say knuckles, you can use 指の関節 in everyday conversation to make the phrase sound more natural. For a more precise or formal description, you may use 拳の関節.
How do you pronounce it?
shikansetsu
Did you know?
- Japanese uses the character 節 to describe not only joints like knuckles but also the nodes on a bamboo stalk, linking human anatomy to a common plant.
- Japanese uses the same word 関節 (kansetsu) for anatomical joints like knuckles and for 'articulation' in the study of linguistics.
- In traditional Japanese martial arts, there is a specific vocabulary for 'hardening' the knuckles through conditioning, which differs from the standard medical terms like 指関節.
Example conversation
Daito is showing Yui his hand after an accident.
- 大翔 Hiroto指関節をぶつけてしまったよ。shikansetsu o butsukete shimatta yo.I bumped my knuckles.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫？すごく赤くなっているよ。daijoubu? sugoku akaku natte iru yo.Are you okay? They are very red.
- 大翔 Hiroto少し痛いけど、大丈夫だと思う。sukoshi itai kedo, daijoubu da to omou.It hurts a bit, but I think I'll be fine.
- 結衣 Yui冷やしたほうがいいよ。hiyashita hou ga ii yo.You should put some ice on it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 指関節, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
