Translation and Meaning of: 顎 - ago

If you've ever wondered how to say chin in Japanese, the answer is 顎 (あご - ago). This word appears in everyday contexts, from conversations about anatomy to idiomatic expressions. In this article, you will discover the origin of the kanji, how it's used in daily life, as well as tips for memorizing it easily. Here at Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you will also find practical examples to include in your Anki and boost your studies.

The kanji 顎 may seem complex at first glance, but its structure reveals valuable clues about its meaning. In addition to exploring its etymology, let's dive into cultural curiosities and even puns that the Japanese love. Can you imagine how this word appears in mangas or dramas? Let's unravel all of this next!

The origin and writing of the kanji 顎

The kanji 顎 is composed of 18 strokes and combines two meaningful radicals: 頁 (page/head) and 各 (each). The lower part, 頁, appears in several kanjis related to the head, such as 頭 (head) and 顔 (face). On the other hand, 各 brings a nuance of "individuality," suggesting that the chin is a distinctive part of the face. It is no coincidence that this kanji was chosen to represent such a unique bone structure.

In writing, many students confuse 顎 with similar kanjis like 額 (forehead) or 領 (domain). An infallible tip is to that the chin is "below the page" - notice how the radical 頁 dominates the right side of the character. When I started studying Japanese, decorating this mental image helped me never to make that mistake again. And you, had you noticed this visual relationship?

Everyday use and popular expressions

In daily life, あご appears in very practical situations. Doctors use the term to discuss problems like 顎関節症 (temporomandibular t disorder). In sports, you often hear 顎を引け (keep your chin down) as advice for posture. A curiosity? In Japanese dream dictionaries, dreaming about the chin symbolizes determination - perhaps because it is the part of the body that "holds up" words.

A fun expression is 顎が外れる (ago ga hazureru), which literally means "the jaw dislocated" but describes someone so surprised that they look like their jaw has dropped. In romantic contexts, 顎線 (agosen - jawline) is often praised in anime characters. It's not uncommon to find fans discussing the "perfect jaw" of their 2D idols!

Tips for memorization and related searches

Do you want to memorize 顎 in a way you'll never forget? Associate the kanji with the silhouette of a human profile: the upper part (各) represents the nose, while 頁 forms the outline of the jaw. Another technique is to create flashcards with images of notable chins - who doesn't Goku's distinctive chin? On Google, the most common searches include "ago dor" (for medical issues) and "ago kanji" (among students).

A common trick is the pronunciation: although 顎 is mostly read as あご, in medical compounds like 下顎 (lower jaw) it appears as がく. It's worth noting this exception! To practice, how about describing your own face using 顎 in a sentence? This way, you can reinforce the vocabulary in a natural and fun way.