胴(どう)

どう
noun
trunk; torso; body (of an object); chest protector
body-part
1. trunk; torso; waist
The central part of the body, without the head and limbs; also the middle of an animal's body.
胴(どう)が長(なが)い犬(いぬ)。
A long-bodied dog.
胴(どう)回(まわ)りが太(ふと)くなった。
My waistline has gotten thicker.
彼(かれ)は胴(どう)に命綱(いのちづな)を巻(ま)いて崖(がけ)を降(お)りた。
He tied a lifeline around his waist and climbed down the cliff.
2. body (of a drum, instrument, or vessel); chest protector (kendo)
The main, central part of an object such as a drum, guitar or ship. In kendo, the armour that protects the torso, and a strike to it.
太鼓(たいこ)の胴(どう)。
The body of a drum.
剣道(けんどう)では面(めん)、小手(こて)、胴(どう)を着(つ)ける。
In kendo you wear a helmet, gauntlets and a chest protector.
試合(しあい)の最後(さいご)に見事(みごと)な胴(どう)が決(き)まった。
At the end of the match, a beautiful strike to the torso scored.

An everyday but slightly technical word; in ordinary talk about the body, 体(からだ) or お腹(なか) is more common, and 胴(どう) appears mainly in compounds and set phrases.

Compounds

  • 胴(どう)回(まわ)り: waist measurement, girth
  • 胴長(どうなが): long-bodied (胴長(どうなが)短足(たんそく), long body and short legs)
  • 胴上(どうあ)げ: tossing someone into the air in celebration
  • 救命胴衣(きゅうめいどうい): life jacket

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 腰(こし) (lower back, hips)
Related: 剣道(けんどう) (kendo)
Related: 三味線(しゃみせん) (shamisen)
general
Added 2026.9.28 21:41 · Revised 2026.10.7 9:26
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