軟骨(なんこつ)

なんこつ
noun
cartilage
1. cartilage
Flexible connective tissue found in joints, ears, nose, and other parts of the body. Provides cushioning and structure.
膝(ひざ)の軟骨(なんこつ)がすり減(へ)ってきた。
The cartilage in my knee is wearing down.
耳(みみ)の軟骨(なんこつ)にピアスを開(あ)けた。
I got my ear cartilage pierced.
年(とし)を取(と)ると軟骨(なんこつ)がすり減(へ)って関節(かんせつ)が痛(いた)くなることがある。
As you age, cartilage wears down and your joints can become painful.
2. cartilage (as food)
Chicken cartilage served as a food item, popular in Japanese cuisine, especially at yakitori restaurants.
軟骨(なんこつ)のから揚(あ)げが好(す)きだ。
I like fried cartilage.
焼(や)き鳥屋(とりや)で軟骨(なんこつ)を注文(ちゅうもん)した。
I ordered cartilage at the yakitori restaurant.
軟骨(なんこつ)はコリコリした食感(しょっかん)が特徴(とくちょう)で、塩(しお)で食(た)べるのが一番(いちばん)おいしい。
Cartilage is known for its crunchy texture, and it tastes best with salt.

TYPES:

  • 硝子軟骨(しょうしなんこつ): hyaline cartilage (joints, ribs)
  • 弾性軟骨(だんせいなんこつ): elastic cartilage (ear, nose)
  • 線維軟骨(せんいなんこつ): fibrocartilage (spine discs)

MEDICAL TERMS:

  • 軟骨損傷(なんこつそんしょう): cartilage damage
  • 変形性関節症(へんけいせいかんせつしょう): osteoarthritis (involves cartilage)

AS FOOD:

At 焼(や)き鳥(とり) (yakitori) restaurants:

  • 軟骨(なんこつ) / なんこつ: chicken cartilage (crunchy texture)
  • やげん軟骨(やげんなんこつ): breast cartilage
  • ひざ軟骨(ひざなんこつ): knee cartilage

Popular for its unique crunchy texture.

Related Words

Related: 骨(ほね) (bone)
general
Added 2026.1.17 2:27 · Revised 2026.6.9 22:08
05500/05964_nankotsu