胸
胸·chest, breast
- On-yomi
- キョウ
- Kun-yomi
- むね
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 胸 | むね | chest; heart, feelings |
| 度胸 | どきょう | nerve, courage |
| 胸囲 | きょうい | chest measurement |
| 胸中 | きょうちゅう | what one feels inside |
Example sentences
緊張して胸がどきどきしている。
きんちょうしてむねがどきどきしている。
I'm nervous and my heart is pounding.
彼は度胸のある人だ。
かれはどきょうのあるひとだ。
He is a man with nerve.
胸の中を正直に話してくれた。
むねのなかをしょうじきにはなしてくれた。
She told me honestly what was on her mind.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 度胸 as *どむね
- Forgetting that 胸 covers both the physical chest and the feelings held in it
Memory aid
Picture it
Flesh (月) beside a wrapping shape — the rib cage folded around the heart.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 胸が痛むむねがいたむto feel heartache; to be pained (by)
- 胸を張るむねをはるto hold one's head high; be proud
- 胸を打つむねをうつto be moving; to touch the heart
- 胸を撫で下ろすむねをなでおろすto breathe a sigh of relief
- 胸むねchest
- 胸がいっぱいむねがいっぱいto be overwhelmed
- 胸が騒ぐむねがさわぐto feel uneasy
- 胸に刻むむねにきざむto engrave in one's heart
- 胸をなでおろすむねをなでおろすto breathe a sigh of relief
Quick check
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What does the kanji 胸 mean?