こうべ Japanese meaning | KotomoraMeanings
1
noun
head
usually written using kana alone
Literary or old-fashioned word for 'head'; in modern Japanese あたま is the usual term. Often appears in set phrases or elevated contexts.
neck, counter for songs and poems
Similar words
- 頭
あたま is the standard modern word for 'head'. こうべ is literary and rarely used in everyday speech.
- 首
くび means 'neck' in modern Japanese. こうべ can also be written 首, but this is rare and may cause confusion.
Etymology
The historical derivation is uncertain; こうべ is a native Japanese word that has been largely replaced by あたま in modern usage.
