首 Kanji – neck
The Japanese kanji 首 can mean neck, counter for songs and poems.
Meaning and Readings
How is 首 read?
首 has the onyomi reading シュ and the kunyomi reading くび.
In romaji, these readings can be written as shu, kubi.
Common Japanese Words Using 首
These common Japanese words contain 首. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 一首（いっしゅ） — one tanka, one poem
- 機首（きしゅ） — nose (of plane)
- 元首（げんしゅ） — sovereign, ruler, head of state
- 絞首刑（こうしゅけい） — death by hanging, execution by hanging
- 自首（じしゅ） — surrender (to the authorities), giving oneself up, turning oneself in
- 手首（てくび） — wrist
- 首飾り（くびかざり） — necklace, choker
- 首相（しゅしょう） — prime minister, chancellor (Germany, Austria, etc.), premier
- 首長（しゅちょう） — head (of organization, organisation), chief
- 首都（しゅと） — capital (city), metropolis
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