Translation guide
The joint connecting the hand to the forearm. In Japanese, the most common word is 手首 (tekubi). There are also anatomical terms and related expressions for wrist accessories and actions.
Referring to the wrist as a body part in everyday conversation.
The standard, everyday word for 'wrist'. Literally 'hand neck'.
I hurt my wrist.
You have slender wrists.
An alternative kanji for 手首, using 頸 (neck). Rarely used; 手首 is overwhelmingly more common.
I fractured my wrist.
Referring to the wrist in a medical or anatomical context.
Talking about items worn on the wrist, like watches or bracelets.
Describing actions like grabbing, twisting, or slapping the wrist.
To grab someone's wrist.
He grabbed my wrist.
To twist someone's wrist (e.g., in martial arts or an accident).
I fell and twisted my wrist.
To cut one's wrist. Sensitive topic; usually refers to self-harm.
This phrase is strongly associated with suicide or self-harm. Use with extreme care.
手首 specifically means the wrist joint. 腕 means the entire arm from shoulder to wrist, or sometimes just the forearm. When talking about watches, 腕時計 (udedokei) is used, not 手首時計.
手首 is often used in compound words related to the wrist, such as 手首関節 (wrist joint) or 手首骨折 (wrist fracture). However, for accessories, 腕 (ude) or loanwords are more common.
Damage to the radiocarpal joint is observed.
She is wearing a silver bracelet.
I wear a wristband when playing tennis.
He attempted suicide by cutting his wrists.