頭蓋骨
zugaikotsu[d͡zɨɡa̠iko̞t͡sɨ]
The English word 'skull' is translated into Japanese as 頭蓋骨 (zugaikotsu) or 頭骨.
Meaning: bones of the head: cranium and mandible (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 頭蓋骨 | zugaikotsu | [d͡zɨɡa̠iko̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) [to̞ːɡa̠iko̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 頭骨 | tōkotsu |
Both terms refer to the bones of the head, specifically the cranium and the mandible.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 頭蓋骨 (zugaikotsu) is composed of 頭 (head), 蓋 (lid/cover) and 骨 (bone).
Which one should you use?
頭蓋骨 (zugaikotsu) is a more formal, anatomical or technical term for the skull, whereas 頭骨 (tōkotsu) is a slightly more concise version.
How do you pronounce it?
zugaikotsu
Did you know?
- Japanese contains a specific word for the 'skull' as a symbol of death, often associated with the どくろ (dokuro) image, which differs from the anatomical 頭蓋骨.
- In Japanese, the word for 'skull' 頭蓋骨 contains the character 蓋, which is the same word used for the 'lid' of a cooking pot or a jar.
- Despite being a basic anatomical term, 頭蓋骨 only began appearing in Japanese biological glossaries in 1884.
Examples in context
- 調べを進めるうちに、頭蓋骨が、何か重い一撃を受けて打ち砕かれているのが明らかになった。Closer examination revealed that the skull had been crushed by some heavy blow.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a skull that has been crushed using 頭蓋骨.Tatoeba #74431 by fcbond, translation #329289 by fcbond
- マリアは頭蓋骨の構造についての研究をしています。Maria is researching the structure of the skull.
- このおもちゃは頭蓋の形をしていますね。This toy is shaped like a skull, isn't it?
- その化石は、非常に保存状態の良い頭蓋骨です。Sono kaseki wa, hijō ni hozon jōtai no yoi zuzukotsu desu.That fossil is a very well-preserved skull.
Example conversation
Two students are studying in a biology class.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、この頭蓋骨の形を見て。Misaki, kono zugaikotsu no katachi o mite.Misaki, look at the shape of this skull.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だね。人間とは少し違う気がする。Hontō da ne. Ningen to wa sukoshi chigau ki ga suru.You're right. I feel like it's a bit different from a human's.
- 大翔 Hirotoたぶん別の動物のものだと思うよ。Tabun betsu no dōbutsu no mono da to omou yo.I think it's probably from a different animal.
- 美咲 Misaki先生に聞いてみようか。Sensei ni kiite miyō ka.Shall we ask the teacher?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skull” translations and entries 頭蓋骨, 頭骨, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 頭蓋骨, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
