Skip to content
Kotomora

枢

hinge, pivot, door, center of things

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • スウ
  • シュ

Kun'yomi

  • とぼそ
  • からくり

Meaning

枢 centers on a central point that enables movement or organization: a hinge or pivot that a door turns on, and by extension the critical center of any system or matter.

Most common words using 枢

20 of 30
  • 中枢ちゅうすう
    N1

    centre; center; pivot; mainstay; nucleus; hub; backbone; central figure; pillar; key person

  • 枢機卿すうききょう

    cardinal (Catholic Church)

  • 枢くるる

    pivot hinge (using extensions on the top and bottom of a door that fit into cavities in the frame)

  • 枢とぼそ

    cavities in the frame of a door used as part of a pivot hinge

  • 枢とまら

    extensions on the top and bottom of a door that fit into cavities in the frame (as part of a pivot hinge)

  • 枢軸すうじく

    axle; pivot

  • 枢密院すうみついん

    Privy Council (abolished in 1947)

  • 中枢神経ちゅうすうしんけい

    central nerves

  • ウェルニッケ中枢ウェルニッケちゅうすう

    Wernicke's area

  • 中枢性ちゅうすうせい

    central (nervous system)

  • 中枢神経系ちゅうすうしんけいけい

    central nervous system; CNS

  • 中枢神経系統ちゅうすうしんけいけいとう

    central nervous system

  • 先天性中枢性肺胞低換気症候群せんてんせいちゅうすうせいはいほうていかんきしょうこうぐん

    congenital central hypoventilation syndrome; CCHS

  • 呼吸中枢こきゅうちゅうすう

    respiratory center; respiratory centre

  • 嘔吐中枢おうとちゅうすう

    vomiting center; area postrema; part of the brain that controls vomiting

  • 悪の枢軸あくのすうじく

    Axis of Evil (Iran, Iraq and North Korea)

  • 摂食中枢せっしょくちゅうすう

    feeding center (of the brain)

  • 枢密すうみつ

    state secrets

  • 枢戸くるるど

    door (with a pivot hinge)

  • 枢木くるるぎ

    sliding wooden bolt (for holding a door or window shut)

Explore all words using 枢 →

Study

Etymology

枢 combines 木 (tree/wood) with 区, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a bounded area or division. Together they suggest a wooden part that divides or controls movement, such as a hinge or pivot.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side is a tree 木, and the right side 区 looks like a box with a cross inside. Imagine a wooden box with a central cross-shaped pivot that lets the door swing open: 枢 is the hinge at the center of things.

Reading mnemonic

For スウ, picture a smooth wooden hinge that never squeaks: smooth -> スウ, and the pivot turns silently.