Translation guide
The main part of the human body, excluding the head, arms, and legs. In Japanese, the most common and natural word is 胴体 (どうたい), but other terms exist depending on context, such as anatomy, art, or clothing.
Referring to the trunk of the body in everyday contexts, such as describing body parts, injuries, or general appearance.
The most direct and common translation for 'torso'. Used in everyday speech and writing.
彼は胴体に大きな傷を負った。
He suffered a large wound on his torso.
このドレスは胴体のラインがきれいに出る。
This dress shows the line of the torso beautifully.
Literally 'body trunk'. Often used in medical, fitness, or anatomical contexts to refer to the core or trunk of the body.
体幹を鍛えると姿勢が良くなる。
Training your torso improves your posture.
A shorter, more casual term for the trunk. Often used in compound words or when describing body measurements.
胴回りを測ってください。
Please measure around your torso.
Referring to a statue or artistic representation of a human torso, often without head or limbs.
A loanword from Italian/French, used specifically for an artistic torso sculpture. Very common in art contexts.
美術館で古代ギリシャのトルソーを見た。
I saw an ancient Greek torso at the museum.
Literally 'torso statue'. Less common than トルソー, but understandable.
その胴体像は大理石でできている。
That torso statue is made of marble.
Referring to the part of a garment that covers the torso, or the torso as a body measurement.
Still the standard term, used in clothing descriptions.
このジャケットは胴体にフィットする。
This jacket fits the torso.
Specifically the body part of a garment (as opposed to sleeves or collar). Used in sewing and pattern making.
Precise anatomical reference to the trunk, often in medical contexts.
The standard anatomical term for the trunk, including the thorax and abdomen.
体幹の筋肉には腹筋や背筋が含まれる。
The muscles of the torso include the abdominal and back muscles.
Another anatomical term, slightly less common than 体幹 but still used.
胴部のCTスキャンを撮影した。
We took a CT scan of the torso.
胴体 is the everyday word for the human torso. 体幹 is more technical and often used in fitness or anatomy. トルソー is specifically for art/sculpture. Using トルソー for a living person's body would sound strange.
上半身 (じょうはんしん) means 'upper body' and includes the head and arms, so it is not a precise equivalent for 'torso'. Use 胴体 or 体幹 instead.
Sew the torso piece and the sleeves together.