血(ち)

ち
noun
blood
1. blood
The red liquid that circulates through the body. Also used metaphorically for lineage or temperament.
血(ち)が出(で)ている。
You're bleeding. / Blood is coming out.
指(ゆび)を切(き)って血(ち)が出(で)た。
I cut my finger and it bled.
父(ちち)の血(ち)を引(ひ)いている。
I take after my father. (lit. I inherit my father's blood)
Metaphorical use
血(ち)を見(み)ると怖(こわ)くなります。
I get scared when I see blood.
怪我(けが)をして血(ち)が止(と)まらない。
I got injured and the bleeding won't stop.

血(ち) is the common word for blood; 血液(けつえき) is more formal/medical.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 血(ち)が出(で)る: to bleed
  • 血(ち)を流(なが)す: to shed blood
  • 血(ち)の気(け)が引(ひ)く: to turn pale
  • 血(ち)を引(ひ)く: to inherit (bloodline)

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 血液(けつえき): blood (medical/formal)
  • 血液型(けつえきがた): blood type
  • 献血(けんけつ): blood donation
  • 出血(しゅっけつ): bleeding

CULTURAL NOTE: In Japan, blood type (血液型(けつえきがた)) is popularly believed to indicate personality traits.

basic
Added 2026.1.9 21:26 · Revised 2026.2.18 18:16
01500/01659_chi