Translation guide
A specific location on the body used in acupuncture and related therapies. In Japanese, the standard term is 経穴 (keiketsu), but the common word ツボ (tsubo) is used in everyday language and also refers to pressure points or key spots in general.
The precise anatomical location used in acupuncture treatment.
The formal medical term for an acupuncture point. Used in professional and academic contexts.
A spot on the body that is sensitive or effective when pressed, or a crucial point in a non-medical context.
Used broadly for any sensitive or effective spot, including in massage, or metaphorically for a key point (e.g., in a story, joke, or strategy).
経穴 (keiketsu) is the technical term used by acupuncturists and in medical literature. ツボ (tsubo) is the everyday word understood by everyone, and it can also mean a pressure point in massage or a key point in a non-medical sense. In casual conversation, always use ツボ.
ツボ is very common in figurative expressions like ツボに入る (to hit one's funny bone, to find something hilarious) or ツボを押さえる (to grasp the key point). It's a versatile word beyond just acupuncture.
この経穴は胃の不調に効きます。
This acupuncture point is effective for stomach problems.
The most common everyday word for an acupuncture point, also used for pressure points in massage or shiatsu. Can be used in casual conversation.
肩のツボを押すと気持ちいいです。
Pressing the acupuncture point on the shoulder feels good.
A Chinese medicine term for acupuncture point, less common in Japanese than 経穴.
この穴位は腰痛に用いられます。
This acupuncture point is used for lower back pain.
I don't get the point of his story.
ここが問題のツボだ。
This is the crux of the problem.