Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 骸骨 | gaikotsu | [ɡa̠iko̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 骨格 | kokkaku | [ko̞k̚ka̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
While both words relate to skeletons, they are used in different contexts. 骸骨 refers to the physical remains of a dead body or a visual representation of a skeleton. For a more scientific or medical context, you might use 骨構造. For a colloquial way to express the concept, you can simply use 骨.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 骸骨 is composed of the characters for 'corpse' (骸) and 'bone' (骨). The word 骨格 is composed of the characters for 'bone' (骨) and 'framework/structure' (格).
Which one should you use?
Use 骨格 (kokkaku) when referring to the biological skeletal system or a structural framework. Use 骸骨 (gaikotsu) when referring to the physical remains of a dead body or a visual representation of a skeleton, such as a skull or a cartoon skeleton.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting skeletons, the counter commonly used is 個 (ko).
How do you pronounce it?
gaikotsu
Did you know?
- In Japanese beauty and fashion, 骨格診断 (kokkaku shindan) refers to a popular 'skeleton diagnosis' used to determine which clothes suit a person's natural body frame.
- If you call a person 骸骨 (gaikotsu) because they are very thin, it is considered quite harsh or blunt. While it describes their physical appearance, it can sound more like you are calling them a 'corpse' than a person.
- The word 骸骨 (gaikotsu) is often avoided in polite conversation when referring to deceased ancestors, as the character 骸 can carry a heavy connotation of a decaying corpse.
Examples in context
- 彼は骸骨のようにやせている。He looks just like a skeleton.This sentence is useful for describing someone who is very thin using the form 骸骨.Tatoeba #108920 by bunbuku, translation #294772 by CM
- 骸骨のアイコンより、こっちのアイコンの方が絶対いいって。私が保証する。This icon is definitely better than the skeleton one. I'm sure of it.This sentence is useful for comparing different icons using the form 骸骨.Tatoeba #9804045 by small_snow, translation #9821212 by DJ_Saidez
- スケルトンを5個見つけました。I found five skeletons.
- 博物館には大きな骸骨があります。Hakubutsukan ni wa ookina gaikotsu ga arimasu.There is a large skeleton in the museum.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are studying biology together.
- 蓮 Renこの骸骨の図解、すごく分かりやすいね。Kono gaikotsu no zukai, sugoku wakariyasui ne.This skeleton diagram is very easy to understand.
- 陽葵 Himari本当だね。骨の名前が全部書いてあるよ。Hontou da ne. Hone no namae ga zenbu kaite aru yo.You're right. All the bone names are written here.
- 蓮 Ren骸骨の構造を覚えるのは大変だなぁ。Gaikotsu no kouzou o oboeru no wa taihen da naa.It's tough to memorize the structure of the skeleton.
- 陽葵 Himari一緒に頑張って覚えようよ、蓮君。Issho ni ganbatte oboeyou yo, Ren-kun.Let's work hard to memorize it together, Ren.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skeleton” translations and entries 骸骨, 骨格, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
