Refers to the central part or core of something, often in physical or metaphorical contexts. Less common than 芯 (しん) in everyday use.
The core of this fruit is hard.
tang (of a sword, etc.)
Technical term for the part of a blade that extends into the handle. Used in swordsmithing and tool-making.
The tang of the sword is inscribed with a signature.
middle of a nest of boxes
Refers to the middle container in a set of nested boxes (入れ子). Rare standalone; mostly encountered in traditional craft contexts.
See also: 入れ子
Take out the middle box of the nested set.
Common word for core, center, or wick. 中子 is less frequent and often more physical or technical.
Standard word for center or middle. 中子 is a rarer synonym with the same kanji but different reading.
Standard kanji spelling for the core or tang meaning.
Rare spelling; normally read ちゅうしん. May appear in older texts for the core sense.
Specialized spelling for the tang of a blade; otherwise read くき.
Compound of 中 (なか, 'inside') and 子 (こ, 'small thing'). The reading なかご is a kun'yomi compound. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.