腕(うで)

うで
noun
arm, skill
1. arm
The upper limb of the body from shoulder to hand.
腕(うで)が長(なが)い。
To have long arms.
腕(うで)を上(あ)げてください。
Please raise your arm.
腕(うで)時計(どけい)をしています。
I'm wearing a wristwatch.
右(みぎ)腕(うで)が痛(いた)くて動(うご)かせません。
My right arm hurts and I can't move it.
子供(こども)を腕(うで)に抱(だ)いて、ゆっくりと歩(ある)きました。
Holding the child in my arms, I walked slowly.
2. skill, ability
One's ability or skill at something, especially a craft or profession.
腕(うで)がいい。
To be skilled.
彼(かれ)は料理(りょうり)の腕(うで)がいい。
He has good cooking skills.
腕(うで)を磨(みが)くために毎日(まいにち)練習(れんしゅう)する。
I practice every day to improve my skills.
あの人(ひと)は仕事(しごと)の腕(うで)が高(たか)いです。
That person has excellent work skills.
彼女(かのじょ)はピアノの腕(うで)を上(あ)げるために、毎日(まいにち)三(さん)時間(じかん)練習(れんしゅう)しています。
She practices three hours every day to improve her piano skills.

腕(うで) has two main meanings: the physical arm (from shoulder to hand) and skill or ability.

SENSE 1 — ARM:

Refers to the entire arm. Common compounds:

  • 腕(うで)時計(どけい): wristwatch
  • 腕(うで)組(ぐ)み: folding one's arms
  • 右(みぎ)腕(うで): right arm (also figurative: "right-hand man")

SENSE 2 — SKILL:

Commonly used to describe one's ability at a craft or profession:

  • 腕(うで)がいい: to be skilled
  • 腕(うで)を磨(みが)く: to polish one's skills
  • 腕(うで)を上(あ)げる: to improve one's skills
  • 腕(うで)を振(ふ)るう: to show off one's skills

The skill sense is especially common for cooking, craftsmanship, and professional work.

basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:51 · Revised 2026.3.26 22:07
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