Meaning
When you encounter 胴 (DŌ), an N1 kanji, remember it primarily refers to the "torso," "trunk," or "main body." This applies whether you're talking about a person, an animal, or even an inanimate object. It signifies the central, core part that connects the head and limbs, essentially the body's foundational structure without its extremities.
Like many kanji, 胴 is a semantic-phonetic compound. On the left, the radical ⺼ (niku-zuki) is a variant of 肉 (niku), meaning "flesh" or "body." This immediately suggests the kanji's connection to anatomy or physical form. On the right, we find 同 (dō), meaning "same," "alike," or "together." While 同 primarily functions as a phonetic component, providing the "DŌ" sound, you can also see a conceptual link. The torso is often considered the "same" central part shared by many creatures, or it's the part that holds all vital organs "together." This pairing effectively conveys the idea of the body's central mass.
Visually, 胴's structure is quite intuitive once you understand its components. The "flesh" radical on the left immediately signals a connection to something corporeal. The right side, 同, though primarily phonetic, also lends a sense of solidity and unity to the form. With 11 strokes, it's moderately complex yet balanced, and as a Joyo kanji, it's officially designated for common use in Japan. Understanding 胴 will significantly deepen your comprehension of descriptions related to the body and various objects in Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 胴 is ドウ (DŌ). You'll find this reading consistently in almost all common compound words, reflecting its strong connection to its original Chinese pronunciation. Recognizing this On'yomi is essential for using 胴 across a wide range of vocabulary.
胴体 (dōtai) — This is perhaps the most fundamental compound, directly meaning "torso" or "body." It's used to refer to the main part of a body, excluding the head and limbs, whether human or animal. For example, a plane's fuselage can also be referred to as 胴体.
胴衣 (dōi) — This word means "vest," "jacket," or specifically "body armor." It refers to a garment that covers the torso, often seen in martial arts (like a judogi or kendogi's jacket part) or protective gear.
胴元 (dōmoto) — Less about anatomy, this term refers to a "bookmaker" or "promoter" in gambling. It signifies the central "body" or source of the operation, illustrating how 胴 can extend its meaning to the core of an organization.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Interestingly, 胴 does not have a commonly used or practical Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading) as a standalone word in modern Japanese. While you might find rare instances in historical or specialized texts linking it to readings like 'からだ' or 'み', these are not part of everyday vocabulary or standard educational curricula. The kanji's meaning is almost exclusively expressed through its On'yomi ドウ (DŌ) when forming compounds. This highlights how some kanji primarily function within compound words using their Chinese readings, rather than as independent Japanese words.
Common Words & Compounds
Now, we'll look at some practical applications of 胴 through common words and compounds. You'll see how its core meaning of "torso" or "main body" extends into diverse contexts, from anatomy and martial arts to musical instruments.
Anatomy & General Body Parts:
胴体 (dōtai) — The torso; the main body. This is a very direct and frequently used term.
胴長 (dōnaga) — Long-bodied; having a long torso. Often used to describe people or animals (e.g., 胴長短足 - long torso, short legs).
胴囲 (dōi) — Chest measurement; girth. Used for clothing sizes or medical assessments (e.g., 胴囲を測る - to measure one's chest circumference).
胴震い (dōburui) — Trembling of the body; shivers. Describes a physical reaction, often from fear or excitement.
Clothing & Equipment:
胴着 (dōgi) — Uniform, especially the jacket or upper part for martial arts like Judo or Kendo.
胴衣 (dōi) — Vest; body armor; a garment covering the torso. Similar to 胴着 but can be more general.
胴抜き (dō-nuki) — Sleeveless (garment). Literally "body-removed," implying the removal of sleeves from the main body of a garment (e.g., 胴抜き半纏 - a sleeveless happi coat).
Sports & Martial Arts:
胴上げ (dōage) — Celebratory lifting of a person (by the torso). A common way to celebrate a victory, especially for coaches or star players.
胴斬り (dōgiri) — A historical term for cutting through the torso; a specific sword technique in some martial arts.
Objects & Abstract Concepts:
胴鳴り (dōnari) — Body resonance; the sound produced by the body of a string instrument (like a guitar or violin).
胴太鼓 (dōdaiko) — A barrel drum. Here, 胴 refers to the main cylindrical body of the drum.
胴間声 (dōmagoe) — A deep, sonorous voice. Implies a voice that resonates from the "body" or chest (e.g., 彼は胴間声の持ち主だ - He has a deep, resonant voice).
Example Sentences
人間の胴体は頭と足の間にあります。
Ningen no dōtai wa atama to ashi no aida ni arimasu.
The human torso is located between the head and legs.
剣道の試合では、胴への攻撃も有効です。
Kendō no shiai de wa, dō e no kōgeki mo yukō desu.
In a Kendo match, attacks to the torso are also valid.
彼女は胴長で、足が短いのが少し気になります。
Kanojo wa dōnaga de, ashi ga mijikai no ga sukoshi ki ni narimasu.
She has a long torso, and she's a little self-conscious about her short legs.
舞台で胴震いしましたが、なんとか歌いきりました。
Butai de dōburui shimashita ga, nantoka utai kirimashita.
I trembled on stage, but somehow I managed to sing through it.
花瓶の胴体に美しい模様が描かれています。
Kabin no dōtai ni utsukushii moyō ga egakarete imasu.
A beautiful pattern is drawn on the body of the vase.
優勝チームは監督を胴上げして勝利を祝った。
Yūshō chīmu wa kantoku o dōage shite shōri o iwatta.
The winning team celebrated their victory by lifting their coach (by the torso).
楽器の胴鳴りが良いと、より豊かな音色が出ます。
Gakki no dōnari ga yoi to, yori yutakana neiro ga demasu.
If an instrument's body resonance is good, it produces a richer tone.
彼女は稽古のために新しい胴着を購入しました。
Kanojo wa keiko no tame ni atarashii dōgi o kōnyū shimashita.
She bought a new martial arts uniform for practice.
事故で車の胴体が大きく損傷しました。
Jiko de kuruma no dōtai ga ōkiku sonshō shimashita.
The body of the car was heavily damaged in the accident.
Memory Tip
To remember 胴, break it down into its components: ⺼ (flesh/body radical) and 同 (same/alike). Imagine the main "body" or "torso" (represented by ⺼) as the central part where all other limbs connect, making it "the same" essential structure for every person or animal (同). Alternatively, visualize a group of people standing "together" (同), and what you see is a collection of their "bodies" (⺼), specifically focusing on their torsos as the central mass. So, think: "the same (同) flesh (⺼) forms the torso (胴)." This visual story should help you internalize the meaning and form of this N1 kanji!