骨(ほね)

ほね

noun

bone

1. bone

The hard tissue forming the skeleton.

骨(ほね)が折(お)れた。

I broke a bone.

魚(さかな)の骨(ほね)が喉(のど)に刺(さ)さった。

A fish bone got stuck in my throat.

背骨(せぼね)が曲(ま)がっている。

My spine is curved.

2. frame, structure

The supporting framework of something.

傘(かさ)の骨(ほね)が折(お)れた。

The ribs of the umbrella broke.

建物(たてもの)の骨組(ほねぐ)みが出来上(できあ)がった。

The framework of the building was completed.

話(はなし)の骨(ほね)はできているが、細(こま)かいところはまだだ。

The backbone of the story is done, but the details are not yet.

骨(ほね) means bone (the body part) and also extends figuratively to mean framework, structure, or the essence of something. It is also used in many idiomatic expressions related to effort and difficulty.

FIGURATIVE USES:

傘(かさ)の骨(ほね): umbrella ribs
話(はなし)の骨(ほね): the backbone/framework of a story
骨組(ほねぐ)み: framework, structure

EXPRESSIONS:

骨(ほね)を折(お)る: to break a bone; to make great effort
骨(ほね)が折(お)れる: to be laborious, demanding
骨抜(ほねぬ)きにする: to remove the backbone; to weaken/water down
骨(ほね)のある人(ひと): a person with backbone/guts

COMPOUNDS:

骨格(こっかく): skeleton, physique
背骨(せぼね): spine, backbone
骨折(こっせつ): bone fracture
魚(さかな)の骨(ほね): fish bone

Related Words

Related: 背骨(せぼね) (spine, backbone)

Related: 骨折(こっせつ) (bone fracture)

general

Added 2026.1.9 21:51 · Revised 2026.5.19 2:31

02000/02166_hone