Japanese dictionary
How to say "leg" in Japanese
脚あし · ashi
"Leg" in Japanese is あし (ashi), written 足 or 脚. The same word also means foot.
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Ways to say "leg" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 脚あし · ashi | Leg (written form). |
| 足あし · ashi | Leg; foot (common form). |
| 太ももふともも · futomomo | Thigh. |
| ひざひざ · hiza | Knee. |
How to use it
足 is the common way to write it. 脚 is used when you mean the whole leg, and for table legs.
A leg of a trip is 区間 (kukan).
Example sentences
- 歩きすぎて足が痛いです。Arukisugite ashi ga itai desu.My legs hurt from walking too much.
- ひざが痛いので、病院に行きます。Hiza ga itai node, byōin ni ikimasu.My knee hurts, so I'm going to the doctor.
- いすの脚が一本壊れています。Isu no ashi ga ippon kowarete imasu.One of the chair legs is broken.
- 足を組まないでください。Ashi o kumanaide kudasai.Please don't cross your legs.
- サッカーで足をけがしました。Sakkā de ashi o kega shimashita.I hurt my leg playing soccer.
- 正座で足がしびれました。Seiza de ashi ga shibiremashita.My legs fell asleep from sitting seiza.
Questions
What is 正座?
正座 (seiza) is the formal way of sitting on your knees on a tatami floor. Legs often fall asleep, which is 足がしびれる.
Is crossing your legs rude in Japan?
In formal business situations, especially interviews, keeping your legs uncrossed looks more polite.
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.