腰: the kanji for waist; lower back
腰 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means waist; lower back. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
腰 is written in 13 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
腰 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ヨウ (you)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 腰痛ようつう · yōtsū | lower back pain |
こし (koshi)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 腰こし · koshi | waist; lower back |
| 腰かけるこしかける · koshikakeru | to sit down |
| 弱腰よわごし · yowagoshi | weak attitude |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 重い物を持ったら腰が痛くなった。Omoi mono o mottara koshi ga itaku natta.My lower back started to hurt after I lifted something heavy.
- 長い時間座っていると腰痛になる。Nagai jikan suwatte iru to yōtsū ni naru.Sitting for a long time gives me back pain.
- どうぞこちらに腰かけてください。Dōzo kochira ni koshikakete kudasai.Please have a seat here.
- 交渉で弱腰になってはいけない。Kōshō de yowagoshi ni natte wa ikenai.You must not be weak in negotiations.
- 腰を痛めないように、ひざを曲げて持ち上げよう。Koshi o itamenai yō ni, hiza o magete mochiageyō.Bend your knees when lifting so you do not hurt your back.
Questions about 腰
How many strokes does 腰 have?
腰 is written in 13 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 腰?
The on readings are you (ヨウ). The kun readings are koshi (こし).
What JLPT level is 腰?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Body and health
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 腰
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.