軸

• Reading: じく
• Romaji: jiku
• Kanji breakdown: 軸 (jiku) — axis, shaft (composed of 車 vehicle + 由 reason)
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.kɯ/

Meaning

Axis; shaft; axle; core principle or central focus.

A noun with both physical and abstract meanings. Physically, it refers to an axis, shaft, or axle. Abstractly, it means one's core principle, main focus, or central theme. Common in expressions like 軸がぶれない (to stay true to one's principles) and 軸を持つ (to have a clear focus). Frequently used in business, self-improvement, and career discussions.

Examples

1. 人生の軸を持つことが大切だと先輩に言われた。 A senior colleague told me that it's important to have a core focus in life.
2. この車は前輪の軸が曲がっているようだ。 It looks like the front axle on this car is bent.
3. 彼は仕事の軸がぶれないので信頼されている。 He's trusted because he never wavers from his core principles at work.

Usage Guide

Context: business, self-improvement, mechanics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 軸 combines 車 (kuruma, vehicle) and 由 (yoshi, reason/origin), originally referring to the axle of a wheel. The abstract meaning of 'core/center' developed from the physical concept of a central shaft around which things rotate.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal