muscles

JLPT N5 12 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Understanding (jīn)

The character primarily refers to muscles or tendons in the body, emphasizing physical strength or structure. Beyond the literal meaning, is also used metaphorically to describe the core or essential part of something, such as the plot of a story or the main line of reasoning.

Common Uses

  • Physical anatomy: refers to muscles or tendons, often used in contexts related to health, exercise, or body structure.
  • Figurative meaning: can describe the main thread or backbone of a narrative, argument, or plan.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 肌肉 (jīròu hé jīn): muscles and tendons, often mentioned together when discussing physical condition.
  • (yǒu jīn): having a solid or well-structured core, used metaphorically for stories or arguments.
  • (jīngǔ): literally 'muscles and bones,' often used to describe physical strength or robustness.

Usage Tips

When using to talk about stories or arguments, it implies a well-structured and coherent main line. Avoid confusing with 肌肉 (muscle) alone; emphasizes tendons or the structural aspect of muscles. In casual conversation about body parts, is often paired with 肌肉 for clarity.

Common Confusion

vs. 肌肉: focuses more on tendons or the sinewy parts, while 肌肉 refers to the muscle flesh itself. Understanding this distinction helps in medical or fitness contexts.

Example Sentences

After exercise, both muscles and tendons feel sore.

The plot of this movie is very solid, attracting many viewers.

He showed strong muscles and perseverance during the competition.