Translation guide
The English word "rib" refers to a bone in the chest, a cut of meat, or a structural element. In Japanese, different words are used depending on the context.
The curved bone in the chest of humans and animals.
The standard anatomical term for rib bones. Used for both humans and animals.
He fractured a rib in the accident.
It hurts between my ribs.
A more colloquial term for ribs, often used in everyday conversation. Can sound slightly informal.
He's so thin you can see his ribs.
A cut of meat containing rib bones, such as spare ribs or barbecue ribs.
Loanword from English 'spare ribs'. Commonly used for Western-style pork ribs.
Tonight I'll bake spare ribs in the oven.
Korean-derived term for beef short ribs, especially in yakiniku (Japanese BBQ). Refers to the meat, not the bone itself.
General term for meat on the bone, not specific to ribs. Can be used when the exact cut is unclear.
I grilled some meat on the bone.
A curved supporting element resembling a rib, as in architecture, umbrellas, or knitting.
Loanword from English 'rib', used in technical or design contexts (e.g., ribbed fabric, umbrella ribs).
The ribs of this umbrella are made of fiberglass.
She's wearing a rib-knit sweater.
Literally 'bone', used metaphorically for structural ribs (e.g., umbrella ribs, fan ribs). Often in compound words.
While 肋骨 (rokkotsu) is correct for anatomy, it sounds clinical and odd when talking about food. Use スペアリブ or カルビ for meat dishes.
あばら骨 is more colloquial and often used in everyday speech, while 肋骨 is the formal medical term. Both refer to the same bones.
I ate a lot of short ribs at the yakiniku restaurant.
A rib of the folding fan broke.