Readings: ケン (Onyomi), かた (Kunyomi)
Meaning: shoulder
The kanji 肩 combines the radical 月 (にくづき – nikuzuki), which is a variant of 肉 (meat/flesh) and indicates a body part, with the component 戸 (と – to), meaning “door” or “house.” The 戸 component is thought to be phonetic, or possibly indicative of the broad, flat shape of the shoulder blade, or how the shoulder acts as a supporting structure, much like a doorframe. It specifically refers to the human shoulder.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 肩 has 8 strokes. It begins with the two strokes of the radical 月 (left part), followed by the strokes of 戸 (right part). Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke to ensure proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 月 (にくづき) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | Joyo Kanji |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ケン (Ken)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- かた (kata)
Common Words Using 肩
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 肩甲骨 | けんこうこつ | scapula; shoulder blade |
| 肩章 | けんしょう | epaulet; shoulder strap |
| 肩書 | けんしょ | title; position (less common, formal reading) |
| 肩先 | けんさき | point of the shoulder (less common reading) |
| 肩幅 | けんぷく | shoulder width (less common reading) |
| 肩当 | けんあて | shoulder pad (rare reading) |
| 肩肉 | けんにく | shoulder meat (e.g., in cooking) |
| 肩臂 | けんぴ | shoulder and upper arm (medical/anatomical) |
| 肩脱 | けんだつ | shoulder dislocation (medical, rare reading) |
| 肩付 | けんつき | shouldered; having shoulders (rare reading) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 肩 | かた | shoulder |
| 肩こり | かたこり | stiff shoulders |
| 肩書 | かたがき | title; position |
| 肩幅 | かたはば | shoulder width |
| 肩を組む | かたをくむ | to link arms; to put an arm around someone’s shoulder |
| 肩を並べる | かたをならべる | to stand shoulder to shoulder; to be on par with |
| 肩越し | かたごし | over one’s shoulder |
| 肩入れ | かたいれ | siding with; support |
| 肩を落とす | かたをおとす | to droop one’s shoulders (in disappointment) |
| 肩の荷が下りる | かたのにがおりる | to have a burden lifted from one’s shoulders (idiom) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は重い荷物を肩に担いだ。
Kana: かれは おもい にもつを かたに かついだ。
Romaji: Kare wa omoi nimotsu o kata ni katsuida.
English: He carried the heavy luggage on his shoulder.
Japanese: 肩こりがひどくて、マッサージに行きました。
Kana: かたこりが ひどくて、マッサージに いきました。
Romaji: Katakori ga hidokute, massaaji ni ikimashita.
English: My stiff shoulders were bad, so I went for a massage.
Japanese: 友達と肩を組んで歌った。
Kana: ともだちと かたを くんで うたった。
Romaji: Tomodachi to kata o kunde utatta.
English: I linked arms with my friends and sang.
Japanese: 彼女は肩を落として、悲しそうだった。
Kana: かのじょは かたを おとして、かなしそうだった。
Romaji: Kanojo wa kata o otoshite, kanashisou datta.
English: She drooped her shoulders and looked sad.
Japanese: 彼の肩書きは部長です。
Kana: かれの かたがきは ぶちょうです。
Romaji: Kare no katagaki wa buchō desu.
English: His title is department manager.
Japanese: 新しい服は肩幅が少し狭い。
Kana: あたらしい ふくは かたはばが すこし せまい。
Romaji: Atarashii fuku wa katahaba ga sukoshi semai.
English: The new clothes are a little narrow in the shoulder width.
Japanese: 肩の荷が下りて、やっと安心した。
Kana: かたの にが おりて、やっと あんしんした。
Romaji: Kata no ni ga orite, yatto anshin shita.
English: A burden was lifted from my shoulders, and I finally felt relieved.
Japanese: 彼はいつも困っている人に肩入れする。
Kana: かれは いつも こまっている ひとに かたいれする。
Romaji: Kare wa itsumo komatte iru hito ni kataire suru.
English: He always supports people who are in trouble.
Japanese: 後ろから肩を叩かれた。
Kana: うしろから かたを たたかれた。
Romaji: Ushiro kara kata o tatakareta.
English: I was tapped on the shoulder from behind.
Japanese: 子供を肩車してあげた。
Kana: こどもを かたぐるま してあげた。
Romaji: Kodomo o kataguruma shite ageta.
English: I gave my child a piggyback ride.
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