肝
also: たん
Meanings
1
liver; innards
Refers to the organ or edible liver; also used broadly for innards in cooking contexts.
I like chicken liver yakitori.
Please remove the fish innards.
2
Metaphorical use likening courage to the liver; common in phrases like 肝が据わる (to have nerves of steel) or 肝を冷やす (to be scared stiff).
He has nerves of steel.
That accident scared me stiff.
3
Only with reading きも / キモ
Used to indicate the most important part of something; often appears in phrases like 肝心 (essential) or 肝に銘じる (take to heart).
What is the crux of this problem?
I took the teacher's words to heart.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉の肝the crux/essence of something
The crux of this plan is budget management.
- 肝が小さいto be timid; to have little nerve
He's timid and gets scared easily.