太もも
Meanings
1
The ordinary anatomical word for the upper part of the leg, between the hip and the knee.
My thighs became sore from walking for a long time.
I injured my thigh and could not run for a while.
2
Colloquial extension for the buttocks or bum area. In standard modern usage, お尻 is the normal word; 太もも is chiefly understood as 'thigh' unless context makes this colloquial sense clear.
In casual conversation, 太もも is sometimes used to refer to the buttocks.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉で太ももを鍛えるto train/strengthen one's thighs (with something)
I'm strengthening my thighs with squats.
- 太ももが痛いone's thigh hurts
My thighs hurt from running too much.
- 太ももにあざができるto get a bruise on one's thigh
I fell and got a bruise on my thigh.
Expressions
- 太ももを出すexpose one's thighs; bare one's buttocks