首
kubi[kɯ̟bʲi]
The Japanese word for neck is 首 (kubi).
首 is a noun referring to the part of the body that connects the head and the trunk.
Meaning: part of body connecting the head and the trunk (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kubi
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the expression 首を洗って待て means 'to wait for one's punishment'. It literally tells the person to 'wash their neck', referring to the area where a sword would strike during an execution.
- The word 首 is a homophone for another word that means 'to dismiss' or 'to fire' someone from a job.
- The word 首 is also used to mean 'head' in the sense of a 'leader' or 'chief'.
Examples in context
- 首を寝違えました。I sprained my neck while sleeping.This sentence is useful for saying you sprained your neck while sleeping using 首.Tatoeba #148427 by bunbuku, translation #266132 by shekitten
- 首が少し痛いんだ。My neck is a little sore.This sentence is useful for saying your neck is a little sore using 首.Tatoeba #8926675 by small_snow, translation #5774436 by Hybrid
- 首が少し痛いです。My neck is a bit sore.This sentence is useful for saying your neck is a bit sore using 首.Tatoeba #11310749 by small_snow, translation #5808863 by Hybrid
- 彼は首を痛めたHe hurt his neck.
- 首が痒いMy neck is itchy.
- 首が短いHe has a short neck.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is noticing that Ren is wearing a scarf indoors.
- 結衣 Yuiどうして首にマフラーを巻いているの？Doushite kubi ni mafuraa o maite iru no?Why are you wearing a scarf around your neck?
- 蓮 Renちょっと首が冷える感じがして。Chotto kubi ga hieru kanji ga shite.I feel like my neck is a bit cold.
- 結衣 Yui風邪をひかないように気をつけてね。Kaze o hikanai you ni ki o tsukete ne.Be careful not to catch a cold.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、結衣。Arigatou, Yui.Thanks, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “neck” translations and entries 首, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
