足

• Reading: あし
• Romaji: ashi
• Kanji breakdown: 足 (soku/ashi) — foot, leg, sufficient
• Pronunciation: /a.ɕi/

Meaning

Foot; leg. Refers to the lower limb from hip to toes.

Covers both 'foot' and 'leg' in Japanese (unlike English, which distinguishes the two). Common in expressions like 足が速い (fast runner), 足りる (to be sufficient — different kanji 足 but same root), and 足を運ぶ (to visit, literally 'carry one's feet'). Also used for the legs of furniture or the tentacles of octopus and squid.

Examples

1. たくさん歩いて足が痛いです。 I walked a lot and my feet hurt.
2. 彼はクラスで一番足が速い。 He's the fastest runner in the class.
3. 足を怪我したので走れません。 I injured my leg so I can't run.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, sports, health

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 足 is a pictograph depicting a foot and leg, with the upper part representing the knee.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal