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Kotomora

胸

bosom, breast, chest, heart, feelings

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • キョウ

Kun'yomi

  • むね
  • むな-

Meaning

胸 centers on the physical chest area and, by extension, the heart as the seat of emotions and inner feelings.

Most common words using 胸

20 of 168
  • 胸むね
    N3

    chest; breast

  • 度胸どきょう

    courage; bravery; pluck; nerve; grit; guts

  • 胸元むなもと

    breast; chest

  • 胸部きょうぶ

    chest; breast

  • 胸糞むなくそ

    feeling; mood

  • 胸毛むなげ

    chest hair; breast down

  • 胸焼けむねやけ

    heartburn; sour stomach

  • 胸囲きょうい

    chest measurement

  • 胸像きょうぞう

    bust (sculpture); half-length portrait

  • 胸騒ぎむなさわぎ

    uneasiness; vague apprehension; premonition

  • 胸骨きょうこつ

    breastbone; sternum

  • 胸板むないた

    breast; chest

  • 胸椎きょうつい

    thoracic vertebra; thoracic vertebrae

  • 胸中きょうちゅう

    one's heart; one's mind; one's intentions

  • 気胸ききょう

    pneumothorax

  • 胸当てむねあて

    breastplate; chest protector

  • 胸郭きょうかく

    chest; thorax

  • 胸ぐらむなぐら

    collar; lapels

  • 胸壁きょうへき

    breastwork; parapet

  • 胸腺きょうせん

    thymus

Explore all words using 胸 →

Study

Etymology

胸 combines the flesh radical ⺼ with 匈, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the chest area. The exact historical development of 匈 is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The flesh radical ⺼ on the left indicates a body part, and the right side 匈 looks like a container wrapped around something. Picture the chest as a container holding the heart and feelings.

Reading mnemonic

For キョウ, imagine a strong chest that can carry a heavy load: 'kyou' sounds like 'kyo' in 'kyodai' (huge), and a huge chest holds big feelings.