背骨(せぼね)

せぼね
noun
backbone; spine; spinal column
body-partabstract
1. backbone; spine; spinal column
The column of vertebrae running down the center of the back, supporting the body's structure.
背骨(せぼね)が曲(ま)がっている。
My spine is curved.
転(ころ)んで背骨(せぼね)を痛(いた)めた。
I fell and hurt my spine.
姿勢(しせい)が悪(わる)いと背骨(せぼね)に負担(ふたん)がかかる。
Poor posture puts strain on the spine.
2. backbone; core; mainstay
Figuratively, the central support or foundation of something — an organization, system, or argument.
製造業(せいぞうぎょう)はこの国(くに)の経済(けいざい)の背骨(せぼね)だ。
Manufacturing is the backbone of this country's economy.
彼(かれ)は組織(そしき)の背骨(せぼね)となる存在(そんざい)だ。
He is the backbone of the organization.
背骨(せぼね)のない計画(けいかく)は失敗(しっぱい)する。
A plan without a backbone will fail.

Usage

A compound of 背(せ) (back) and 骨(ほね) (bone). In its literal sense, it is the everyday word for spine. The figurative sense of 'core support' mirrors English 'backbone.'

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 背筋(せすじ) (back, posture line)
Compare: 脊椎(せきつい) (vertebral column)
Related: 胸骨(きょうこつ) (sternum)
Related: 尾骨(びこつ) (coccyx)
Related: 脊椎(せきつい)動物(どうぶつ) (vertebrate)
Compare: 頚椎(けいつい) (cervical vertebrae)
Compare: 腰椎(ようつい) (lumbar vertebrae)
general
Added 2026.3.17 19:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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