胸
also: むな
Meanings
The front of the upper body. This is the basic physical sense; むな is mainly a compound form.
I put my hand on my chest and took a deep breath.
The ball hit me in the chest.
Refers specifically to the breasts or bust, often in contexts of body shape, clothing fit, or size.
This dress is a little tight around the bust.
heart; heartbeat felt in the chest
Used for the heart as felt inside the chest, especially in expressions about pounding or fluttering. It is not a precise medical term for the organ.
After running, my heart kept pounding for a while.
lungs; chest illness
Rare or old-fashioned use referring to the lungs or a lung/chest disease, especially in fixed expressions such as 胸を患う.
In older writing, 胸を患う can mean to suffer from a lung disease.
stomach; upper stomach area
Used in some symptom expressions for nausea, heartburn, or discomfort felt high in the stomach or chest area.
I ate too much, and my stomach feels queasy.
When I eat greasy food, I get heartburn.
Figurative sense: the chest as the place where emotions, thoughts, hopes, worries, or memories are held.
Her kind words touched me deeply.
I went to Tokyo carrying a big dream in my heart.
Usage patterns
- 胸がドキドキするone's heart pounds (with excitement or nervousness)
My heart was pounding before the interview.
- 胸が高鳴るone's heart races (with excitement or anticipation)
My heart raced with excitement on my first date.
- 胸に手を当てるto place a hand on one's chest (often to reflect seriously)
Please put your hand on your chest and think about it seriously.
- 胸に秘めるto keep something hidden deep in one's heart
He kept his true feelings hidden in his heart.
- 胸がむかむかするto feel nauseous or queasy
I ate too much and now I feel queasy.
- 胸を膨らませるto have one's heart swell with hope or excitement
My heart is swelling with anticipation for my new life.
Expressions· 41
- 胸が痛むhave chest pain; feel pain in one's chest · feel heartache; be anguished; feel sick at heart
- 胸を張るthrow out one's chest; be puffed up with pride
- 胸を打つtouching; moving; heart-wrenching
- 胸を貸すallow a less skilled person to practice with one; be a practice partner for a weaker player
- 胸に納めるkeep to oneself; keep secret; keep inside