Japanese Body Parts Kanji: Learn Human Body Words
Master Japanese body part kanji: 目 (me), 耳 (mimi), 口 (kuchi), 手 (te), 足 (ashi), and more. Each entry includes the kanji character, hiragana reading, romaji pronunciation, and example sentences to help you learn naturally.
Japanese Body Part Kanji at a Glance
🏃 Essential Vocabulary
Body part vocabulary is among the first things taught in any Japanese course. Words like 目, 手, and 足 appear constantly in daily conversation, manga, and anime.
📝 On'yomi & Kun'yomi
Body part kanji often have both a native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) used in daily speech and a Chinese-derived reading (on'yomi) used in compound medical terms.
✅ JLPT N5/N4 Essential
Core body part kanji like 目, 耳, 口, 手, 足, and 頭 are required for JLPT N5. Knowing these 6 covers the most common exam and daily use cases.
Core Japanese Body Part Kanji
These body part kanji are the most essential for JLPT N5 and everyday Japanese conversation. Learn their kanji forms, hiragana readings, and common usage.
| Body Part | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji | On'yomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye | 目 | め | me | 眼(gan) |
| Ear | 耳 | みみ | mimi | 耳(ji) |
| Mouth | 口 | くち | kuchi | 口(kō) |
| Hand | 手 | て | te | 手(shu) |
| Foot / Leg | 足 | あし | ashi | 足(soku) |
| Head | 頭 | あたま | atama | 頭(tō) |
| Body | 体 | からだ | karada | 体(tai) |
| Face | 顔 | かお | kao | 顔(gan) |
All Japanese Body Part Kanji
Explore each body part with its kanji, reading, and an example sentence used in everyday Japanese.
Example:
目が痛いです。
Me ga itai desu.
My eye hurts.
Example:
耳をよく聞いてください。
Mimi o yoku kiite kudasai.
Please listen carefully.
Example:
口を開けてください。
Kuchi o akete kudasai.
Please open your mouth.
Example:
手を洗いましょう。
Te o araimashou.
Let's wash our hands.
Example:
足が疲れました。
Ashi ga tsukaremashita.
My legs are tired.
Example:
頭が痛い。
Atama ga itai.
I have a headache.
Example:
体に気をつけてください。
Karada ni ki o tsukete kudasai.
Please take care of your health.
Example:
顔を洗いました。
Kao o araimashita.
I washed my face.
Example:
鼻が詰まっています。
Hana ga tsumatte imasu.
My nose is stuffed up.
Example:
歯を磨いてください。
Ha o migaite kudasai.
Please brush your teeth.
Example:
心が温かいです。
Kokoro ga atatakai desu.
My heart feels warm.
Example:
背が高いですね。
Se ga takai desu ne.
You're tall, aren't you.
Useful Body Part Compound Words
Body Part Kanji in Compound Words
Body part kanji combine with other kanji to form useful everyday words. Recognizing the root kanji helps you understand unfamiliar compounds.
| Compound | Reading | Root Kanji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 目玉 | めだま (medama) | 目 | Eyeball |
| 手紙 | てがみ (tegami) | 手 | Letter (lit. hand paper) |
| 足元 | あしもと (ashimoto) | 足 | At one's feet / footing |
| 口調 | くちょう (kuchō) | 口 | Tone of voice / manner of speaking |
| 耳元 | みみもと (mimimoto) | 耳 | Near the ear / close to one's ear |
| 頭痛 | ずつう (zutsū) | 頭 | Headache (medical term) |
| 体力 | たいりょく (tairyoku) | 体 | Physical strength / stamina |
| 顔色 | かおいろ (kaoiro) | 顔 | Complexion / facial expression |
| 歯科 | しか (shika) | 歯 | Dentistry / dental clinic |
| 中心 | ちゅうしん (chūshin) | 心 | Center / core / heart of something |
On'yomi in Medical & Formal Terms
When body part kanji appear in formal, medical, or compound words, they use their on'yomi (Chinese-derived) reading instead of the everyday kun'yomi.
Everyday (kun'yomi):
目 (め / me) = "eye"
Used in daily conversation: 目が痛い (my eye hurts)
Formal/compound (on'yomi):
眼科 (がんか / ganka) = "ophthalmology"
Medical context: 眼科に行く (go to the eye doctor)
Tips for Learning Japanese Body Part Kanji
👁️ Pictographic Roots
Many body part kanji evolved from pictographs. 目 (eye) looks like an eye turned sideways. 口 (mouth) is literally an open mouth. These visual origins help cement the meaning.
🃏 Use Flashcards
Practice body part kanji with our card collection system. Earn XP, level up, and track which kanji you've mastered in your personal Jisho.
📖 Point & Say
A classic technique: point to each body part on yourself and say the Japanese word aloud. 目 → me, 耳 → mimi, 口 → kuchi. Physical reinforcement builds memory fast.
🎯 JLPT Priority
Focus on 目, 耳, 口, 手, 足, 頭, and 体 first; these seven appear on JLPT N5. Once confident, expand to 顔, 鼻, 歯, 背, and 心.
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