How to say “neck” in Japanese | 首 (くび、kubi)

11.12.2023

The Japanese vocabulary「首 (くび、kubi)」means “neck.” Please learn the pronunciation and the example sentences.

Japanese Vocabulary and the Meaning

Key Word首
Hiraganaくび
Romaji Readingkubi
English Meaningneck

The Correct Japanese Pronunciations

Please learn the pronunciation by watching the attached video. You can also learn example sentences.

The Example Japanese Sentences

It is important to have skills in both non-honorific and honorific languages in order to use Japanese correctly.

Japanese Sentence首くびのマッサージを受うけた。
Romaji ReadingKubi no massāji o uketa.
English MeaningI got a neck massage. (Plain Form)
Japanese Sentence首のマッサージを受けました。
Romaji ReadingKubi no massāji o ukemashita.
English MeaningI got a neck massage. (Polite Form)
Japanese Sentence事務じむの仕し事ごとは、首くびと肩かたが凝こる。
Romaji ReadingJimu no shigoto wa, kubi to kata ga koru.
English MeaningOffice work makes my neck and shoulders stiff. (Plain Form)
Japanese Sentence事務の仕事は、首と肩が凝ります。
Romaji ReadingJimu no shigoto wa, kubi to kata ga korimasu.
English MeaningOffice work makes my neck and shoulders stiff. (Polite Form)
Japanese Sentence頭あたまを回まわす体操たいそうで、首くびを痛いためてしまった。
Romaji ReadingAtama o mawasu taisō de, kubi o itamete shimatta.
English MeaningUnfortunately, I hurt my neck doing head-turning exercises. (Plain Form)

If you do not know why I used “unfortunately” in this translation, please ask about it in our lesson or mail support. The key point is the difference between「痛いためた」and「痛いためてしまった」.

Japanese Sentence頭を回す体操で、首を痛めてしまいました。
Romaji ReadingAtama o mawasu taisō de, kubi o itamete shimaimashita.
English MeaningUnfortunately, I hurt my neck doing head-turning exercises. (Polite Form)
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