足あし

noun

foot; paw; arm (of octopus, squid, etc.)

Refers to the foot of a human or animal, including paws. Also used for the tentacles/arms of cephalopods. Typically written 足.

• 彼かれは足あしを骨こっ折せつした。

  He broke his foot.

• タコの足あしは8本ほんある。

  An octopus has eight arms.

noun

leg

Refers to the leg of a human or animal. Often written 脚, but 足 is also common.

• 脚あしが長ながいですね。

  You have long legs.

• 犬いぬが後うしろ足あしで立たった。

  The dog stood on its hind legs.

noun

gait; pace; way of walking

Describes the manner or speed of walking. Often used in set phrases like 足が速い (fast walker) or 足が遅い (slow walker).

• 彼かれは足あしが速はやい。

  He is a fast walker.

• 疲つかれて足あしが重おもくなった。

  I got tired and my legs felt heavy (my pace slowed).

noun

lower radical of a kanji

Only when written 脚

In kanji terminology, refers to the bottom component of a character, such as ⺾ (くさかんむり) vs. 足 (あし). Usually written 脚.

• この漢かん字じの脚あしは「心こころ」です。

  The lower radical of this kanji is 心.

noun

means of transportation; ride

Only when written 足

Metaphorical use: something that serves as one's 'feet' for getting around. Restricted to the kanji 足.

• 車くるまがなくなって、足あしがなくなった。

  I lost my car, so I lost my means of transportation.

• この辺へんはバスが唯ゆい一いつの足あしだ。

  The bus is the only means of transportation around here.

noun

money; coin

Colloquial euphemism for money, often with the polite prefix お (お足).

See also: お足

• ちょっとお足あしが足たりなくて。

  I'm a little short on cash.