Translation guide
The English word "arm" can refer to a body part, a weapon, or be used in various figurative and idiomatic expressions. This guide covers the most common and useful meanings for English-speaking learners of Japanese.
Referring to the limb from shoulder to hand.
The standard word for the arm as a body part. Can also refer to skill or ability in some contexts.
He broke his arm.
Please raise your arm.
Medical/anatomical term for upper limb. Not used in everyday conversation.
upper limb exercises
Referring to a weapon, especially a gun.
General term for weapon. Can be used for arms in the context of weaponry.
They took up arms.
Specifically a gun. Use when the context clearly indicates firearms.
Verb meaning 'to arm oneself' or 'to be armed'.
The soldiers were armed.
Referring to a branch of an organization.
Describing two people walking with arms linked.
Literally 'with arms crossed/linked'. Used for walking arm in arm.
They walked arm in arm.
Something very expensive.
Idiom meaning 'so expensive your eyes pop out'. Equivalent to 'cost an arm and a leg'.
That car cost an arm and a leg.
Literally 'outrageous price'. A more direct way to say something is extremely expensive.
It costs an arm and a leg.
To be willing to sacrifice a lot for something.
In Japanese, 腕 (うで) refers to the arm from shoulder to wrist, while 手 (て) refers to the hand. English sometimes uses 'arm' loosely for the whole limb including the hand, but in Japanese the distinction is clearer. For example, 'raise your hand' is 手を挙げて, not 腕を挙げて.
The word 腕 (うで) is also used metaphorically to mean 'skill' or 'ability', as in 腕がいい (skillful) or 腕を磨く (to polish one's skills). This is a common and useful extension.
He was armed with a gun.
the local arm of the party