ふくらはぎ

ふくらはぎ refers to the fleshy back part of the lower leg. Always written in hiragana.

Etymology

From 膨(ふく)らむ (to swell) + はぎ (脛(はぎ), shin/lower leg). Named for the rounded, swelling shape of the calf muscle.

Common collocations

• ふくらはぎがつる: to get a calf cramp
• ふくらはぎの筋肉(きんにく): calf muscles
• ふくらはぎをもむ: to massage the calves
• ふくらはぎをストレッチする: to stretch the calves
• ふくらはぎがむくむ: calves become swollen

Health note

The calf is sometimes called the 「第二(だいに)の心臓(しんぞう)」 (second heart) in Japanese health discourse, because the calf muscles help pump blood from the legs back to the heart. Calf massage and exercises are commonly recommended for circulation.