軸(じく)

じく
noun
axis; core; pivot; scroll
abstractscience
1. axis; shaft; axle
A rod or line around which something rotates, or a central line used as a reference in geometry or graphs.
Please look at the X-axis of the graph.
The wheel's axle is misaligned.
This map is drawn with the east-west direction as its axis.
2. core; central focus; backbone
The central element or guiding principle around which other things are organized.
We discussed the issue with environmental concerns as the central focus.
彼女(かのじょ)がチームの軸(じく)になっている。
She is the backbone of the team.
It is important to have a firm core within yourself.
3. hanging scroll
A mounted calligraphy or painting scroll, short for 掛け軸(かけじく).
床(とこ)の間(ま)に軸(じく)を掛(か)ける。
To hang a scroll in the tokonoma alcove.
I change the hanging scroll to match the season.
A calligraphy scroll written by my grandfather is carefully kept as a family heirloom.

Common collocations

Usage

Sense 2 is especially common in self-help and business language, where having a 軸(じく) means having clear principles.

Watch out

The homophone 字句(じく) means wording or phrasing.

Related Words