ChiramiN4 kanji · 9 strokes
首 means neck, head
首
首Real origin
It began as a head with hair on top: head, neck.
Real origin: where the kanji comes from, as far as scholars agree.
Meaning and readings
- Meaning
- neck
- JLPT level
- N4
- Strokes
- 9
- School grade
- Grade 2 in Japan
Japanese (kunyomi) くび kubi
くび (kubi) is the Japanese word for this kanji. You use it when the kanji stands alone or has kana after it. Dictionaries call this the kun reading.
From Chinese (onyomi) シュ shu
シュ (shu) came from Chinese with the character. You mostly hear it in words made of several kanji. Dictionaries call this the on reading.
Tap a reading to see when it's used. Why kanji have two kinds of reading: onyomi vs kunyomi.
Common word
手首 てくび · tekubi
wrist
Built from
Tap a part to see the N5 and N4 kanji that use it.
Used in 2 kanji
自 Used in 12 kanji
See all 3 at N5 and N4目 Used in 136 kanji
See all 14 at N5 and N4丷 Used in 140 kanji
See all 17 at N5 and N4Quick check
What does 首 mean?
Right: 首 means neck, head.Not quite: 首 means neck, head.In 手首, which reading does 首 use?
Right. 手首 is read てくび (tekubi): 首 takes くび, its Japanese reading.Not quite. 手首 is read てくび (tekubi): 首 takes くび, its Japanese reading.