Body Parts in Japanese (With Kanji)
Learning body parts in Japanese is essential for everyday life, from visiting a doctor to understanding fitness instructions. This guide covers all the key vocabulary with kanji, hiragana readings, and pronunciation so you can read, speak, and understand body-related words with confidence.
Learn from Your Home Screen
Lingo puts new words on your Home Screen with pronunciation and translations — so you learn 30 languages without even opening the app.
Kanji vs. Hiragana: How Body Parts Are Written
Japanese body part vocabulary gives you a practical introduction to the kanji writing system. Most body parts have a dedicated kanji character, but in everyday life you will see a mix of kanji and hiragana depending on the context:
- Formal/medical writing: Kanji is standard. Doctors' forms and anatomy texts use kanji almost exclusively.
- Casual writing and texting: Hiragana is common, especially for words with complex kanji like 膝 (hiza, knee).
- Children's materials: Hiragana only, or kanji with furigana (small hiragana above the kanji).
In the tables below, each word is shown in Kanji (Hiragana) format so you can learn both scripts at once. The hiragana in parentheses shows you exactly how each kanji is pronounced.
Learning the kanji for body parts is a great strategy because these characters appear in many compound words. For example, 手 (te, hand) appears in 手紙 (tegami, letter), 上手 (jouzu, skillful), and 手伝う (tetsudau, to help).
Head and Face
The head and face contain some of the most frequently used body part vocabulary. Many of these words also appear in common Japanese idioms and expressions.
Notes on Head and Face Vocabulary
頭 (atama) is one of the most versatile body part words. Beyond its literal meaning, it appears in expressions like 頭がいい (atama ga ii, "smart," literally "good head") and 頭が痛い (atama ga itai, "I have a headache").
鼻 (hana) shares its reading with 花 (hana, flower), which are completely different kanji. Context always makes the meaning clear, but it is a fun example of Japanese homophones.
髪 (kami) refers specifically to head hair. Body hair is called 毛 (ke), which is a different word entirely.
The word 歯 (ha, teeth) is pronounced the same as the particle は (wa/ha). Do not confuse them -- context always makes the meaning clear, but it can trip up beginners when listening.
Practice These Words in Lingo Widget
Home screen widgets, daily vocabulary, and 30 languages to explore.
Upper Body
Upper body vocabulary is essential for describing physical activities, explaining symptoms, and following exercise instructions in Japanese.
Notes on Upper Body Vocabulary
肩 (kata) is especially important because "stiff shoulders" (肩こり, katakori) is considered a national ailment in Japan. You will hear this word frequently in daily conversation and see it on massage parlor signs everywhere.
お腹 (onaka) includes the polite prefix お (o). While you can say 腹 (hara) for stomach, it sounds rough and masculine. お腹 is the standard, polite form used by everyone.
指 (yubi) means both "finger" and "toe." To distinguish, you can say 手の指 (te no yubi, "hand fingers") or 足の指 (ashi no yubi, "foot fingers/toes").
Japanese often uses the pattern [body part] + が + 痛い (itai) to express pain. For example: 肩が痛い (kata ga itai) means "my shoulder hurts." This is the most useful medical phrase you can learn.
Lower Body
Lower body vocabulary rounds out your knowledge and is particularly useful for sports, exercise, and describing injuries.
Notes on Lower Body Vocabulary
足 (ashi) is a word that covers both "leg" and "foot." In everyday Japanese, there is no distinction -- the same word serves both meanings. If you need to be specific (especially in medical situations), 脚 (also read ashi, but with a different kanji) refers more specifically to the leg, while 足 can emphasize the foot. In practice, context handles the disambiguation.
膝 (hiza) has a relatively complex kanji that many Japanese people write in hiragana (ひざ) instead. This is a good example of how even native speakers sometimes prefer hiragana for difficult kanji.
Body Parts in Everyday Expressions
Body part vocabulary appears in many common Japanese idioms and set phrases. Learning these expressions gives you a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and thinking:
- 目が高い (me ga takai, literally "eyes are high") -- You have good taste / a good eye
- 耳が痛い (mimi ga itai, literally "ears hurt") -- That is hard to hear (because it is true)
- 口が軽い (kuchi ga karui, literally "light mouth") -- Someone who cannot keep a secret
- 腕がいい (ude ga ii, literally "good arm") -- Skilled, talented
- 足を引っ張る (ashi wo hipparu, literally "pull someone's leg") -- To hold someone back / drag someone down
- 肩の荷が下りる (kata no ni ga oriru, literally "the load comes off the shoulders") -- A weight off your shoulders
Practical Usage: At the Doctor
One of the most practical reasons to learn body part vocabulary is for medical situations. Here are key patterns you should know:
[Body part] が痛いです。
[Body part] ga itai desu.
"My [body part] hurts."
[Body part] が痒いです。
[Body part] ga kayui desu.
"My [body part] is itchy."
[Body part] を怪我しました。
[Body part] wo kega shimashita.
"I injured my [body part]."
Before traveling to Japan, write down a few medical phrases with your specific health concerns using the body part vocabulary above. Having these ready on your phone can be invaluable in an emergency.
Tips for Memorizing Body Part Vocabulary
- Touch and say: Point to each body part as you say the Japanese word. Physical association strengthens memory.
- Learn kanji radicals: Many body part kanji share components. The 月 (moon/flesh) radical appears in 腕, 胸, 腹, 膝, and others -- because it originally represented flesh or body.
- Use the pain pattern: Practice saying "[body part] が痛い" for each word. This gives you practical sentences while reinforcing vocabulary.
- Group by location: Study head words together, then upper body, then lower body. Spatial grouping aids recall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I learn kanji or hiragana for body parts first?
Start with hiragana. Most body part words are commonly written in hiragana in everyday contexts, especially in casual writing and children's materials. Once you are comfortable reading hiragana, learning the kanji will reinforce your understanding and help you read signs at doctors' offices and more formal texts.
How do I say "my head hurts" in Japanese?
You would say 頭が痛いです (atama ga itai desu), which literally translates to "head is painful." You can replace 頭 (atama) with any body part to describe pain: お腹が痛いです (onaka ga itai desu) for "my stomach hurts," 足が痛いです (ashi ga itai desu) for "my leg hurts," and so on.
Why does 足 (ashi) mean both "leg" and "foot" in Japanese?
Japanese traditionally uses 足 (ashi) to refer to the entire lower limb, from hip to toes. Context usually makes the meaning clear. In modern Japanese, especially in medical contexts, 脚 (also read ashi) can specifically mean "leg" while 足 can specifically mean "foot," but in everyday speech, 足 covers both.
What body part words do I need for a doctor visit in Japan?
The most essential words for a medical visit are: 頭 (atama, head), 目 (me, eye), 耳 (mimi, ear), 口 (kuchi, mouth), お腹 (onaka, stomach), 胸 (mune, chest), 背中 (senaka, back), and 足 (ashi, leg/foot). Combined with 痛い (itai, painful/hurts), you can communicate basic symptoms to a doctor.
Are there body part words unique to Japanese that do not exist in English?
Yes. For example, Japanese has specific words like 二の腕 (ni no ude, upper arm), ふくらはぎ (fukurahagi, calf muscle), and つむじ (tsumuji, crown/whorl of hair). Japanese also uses body parts in many idioms, such as 目が高い (me ga takai, literally "high eyes," meaning "good taste").
Practice These Words in Lingo Widget
Home screen widgets, daily vocabulary, and 30 languages to explore.