Translation guide
The joints of the fingers, especially where they connect to the hand, or the rounded back of a bent finger.
Referring to the knuckles as body parts, especially the joints connecting fingers to the hand.
General anatomical term for finger joints, including knuckles. Neutral and widely understood.
My knuckles crack when I bend them.
Refers to the fist, but often used in contexts involving the knuckles, like cracking knuckles or punching.
I have a habit of cracking my knuckles.
Loanword from English, used in sports like baseball (knuckleball) or martial arts. Not common for everyday anatomy.
He throws a knuckleball.
The rounded part of a finger when it is bent, often used for knocking or rubbing.
The act of making a popping sound by bending finger joints.
A cut of meat from the leg joint of an animal, like pork or beef knuckle.
While '指関節' is correct, in casual conversation Japanese speakers often refer to the specific finger (e.g., '人差し指の関節') rather than a generic 'knuckle'. Using 'ナックル' for anatomy sounds unnatural.
You should stop cracking your knuckles.
ポークナックルはドイツ料理で人気だ。
Pork knuckle is popular in German cuisine.