首

JLPT N3

Neck, head

Readings

On’yomi: シュ (shu)

Kun’yomi: くび (kubi)

くび - neck

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

首

くび

neck

手首

てくび

wrist

首相

しゅしょう

prime minister

首都

しゅと

capital city

解雇首

かいこくび

dismissal

Example Sentences

首が痛いです。

くびがいたいです。

My neck hurts.

手首を動かします。

てくびをうごかします。

I move my wrist.

首相です。

しゅしょうです。

He is the prime minister.

首都に行きます。

しゅとにいきます。

I go to the capital.

解雇されます。

かいこされます。

I am dismissed.

Cultural Note

🎎 首 in Japanese culture extends beyond anatomy — it represents responsibility and status.
• Expressions like 「首を切る」(to cut someone’s neck) mean “to dismiss someone” — a remnant of feudal-era imagery where losing one’s head symbolized disgrace.
• 「首を突っ込む」(to stick one’s neck in) means to meddle or get involved.
• The kanji also appears in positions of authority, like 首相 (Prime Minister) or 部首 (radical of a kanji, literally “section head”).
Thus, 首 reflects both the physical head and the figurative leader or starting point — embodying direction, control, and prominence.