骨子

• Reading: こっし
• Romaji: kosshi
• Kanji breakdown: 骨 (kotsu/hone) — bone, skeleton; 子 (shi) — child, suffix
• Pronunciation: /kos.ɕi/

Meaning

Main point; gist; essentials; the core framework or skeleton of an idea or plan.

A noun meaning the essential framework or main points of a plan, proposal, or argument. Literally 'bones' — the structural skeleton that holds an idea together. Often used in business, government, and media for policy outlines and proposal summaries. Common phrases: 骨子をまとめる (to compile the main points), 改革の骨子 (the essentials of reform), 法案の骨子 (the outline of a bill).

Examples

1. 新しい政策の骨子が発表された。 The main points of the new policy were announced.
2. 報告書の骨子を先にまとめてから詳細を書いた。 I compiled the main points of the report first before writing the details.
3. 教育改革の骨子には少人数制の導入が含まれている。 The essentials of the education reform include the introduction of small-class instruction.

Usage Guide

Context: government, business, proposals

Tone: professional

Origin & History

Compound of 骨 (bone, skeleton) + 子 (child, thing — suffix). Literally the 'bones' of something — the essential structural framework, stripped of flesh and detail.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal