血(ち)

ち

noun

blood

medicalbody-internal

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)

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

Pronunciation

ち on its own; けつ in compounds (血液(けつえき), 献血(けんけつ), 出血(しゅっけつ)).

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 2026.10.3 22:59

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