肩
kata
The Japanese word for shoulder is 肩 (kata).
肩 refers to the anatomical joint between the arm and the torso.
Meaning: joint between arm and torso (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
肩 is a noun and does not change its form to indicate plurality. The context of your sentence will determine whether you are referring to one shoulder or multiple shoulders.
How do you pronounce it?
kata
When do people say it?
In Japan, having stiff shoulders is a very common complaint, often expressed using the phrase 肩が凝る.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the expression 肩身が狭い describes feeling small or ashamed, literally translating to 'one's shoulders are narrow'.
- The term 肩代わり refers to taking over someone else's debt or responsibility, meaning 'to substitute one's shoulder'.
- The expression 肩を並べる means to 'stand shoulder to shoulder' with someone, but it is used to mean reaching the same level of skill or status as a rival.
Examples in context
- 肩が凝った。I have a stiff shoulder.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have a stiff shoulder using 肩.Tatoeba #157278 by KK_kaku_, translation #257255 by CK
- 右肩が痛い。My right shoulder hurts.This sentence is useful for describing pain in a specific shoulder using 肩.Tatoeba #1087636 by bunbuku, translation #481812 by CK
- 肩を痛めた。I hurt my shoulder.This sentence is useful for stating that you have injured your shoulder using 肩.Tatoeba #8619943 by small_snow, translation #4846748 by CK
- 私の 肩 が痛いです。My shoulder hurts.
- 肩が張ってる。My shoulder is tense.
- 肩が凝っている。My shoulder is stiff/sore.
- 肩をぽんぽん叩く。To pat someone's shoulder.
- 肩をすくめる。To shrug one's shoulders.
- 肩を組む。To link arms with someone.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren is massaging Yui's shoulders at home.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、肩を揉もうか？Yui, kata o momou ka?Yui, shall I massage your shoulders?
- 結衣 Yuiいいね。肩がすごく疲れているの。Ii ne. kata ga sugoku tsukarete iru no.That would be nice. My shoulders are really tired.
- 蓮 Renここが一番硬いね。Koko ga ichiban katai ne.This part is the tightest.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、蓮。気持ちいい！Arigatou, Ren. Kimochi ii!Thanks, Ren. It feels great!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shoulder” translations and entries 肩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
