Meaning and Usage
"尻" (しり) primarily means "buttocks" or "bottom" in a casual or neutral context. It is a common word used in everyday conversation to refer to the rear part of the body.
Common Expressions
One frequent idiomatic expression is "尻に火がつく," which literally means "the buttocks catch fire," used to describe being under pressure or in a hurry to complete something.
Register and Politeness
"尻" is informal and can be considered slightly crude depending on the context. For polite or formal situations, words like "お尻" (おしり) or "臀部" (でんぶ) are preferred.
Collocations and Patterns
- 尻に火がつく: to be in a hurry due to pressure
- 尻尾を振る: to wag the tail (used for animals, especially dogs)
- 尻を叩く: to urge someone to work harder
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "尻" with "尻尾" (しっぽ), which means "tail." Remember that "尻" refers to the human buttocks, while "尻尾" refers to an animal's tail.