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B1 noun 9 min read

肩こり

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 肩こり in 30 Seconds

Explanation 肩こり in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that '肩こり' (katakori) means 'stiff shoulders.' It is a very common word in Japan. You can use it with 'desu' to say 'Katakori desu' (It is stiff shoulders). You might hear people say this when they are tired from studying or using a computer. Japanese people use this word a lot because they often work long hours at desks. Just remember: 'kata' is shoulder and 'kori' is the stiffness. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. If you feel tired in your neck and back, you can point to it and say 'Katakori.' This will help people understand why you are stretching or why you look tired. It is a useful 'survival' word for daily life in Japan.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '肩こり' in simple sentences with basic particles. For example, 'Katakori ga arimasu' (I have stiff shoulders) or 'Katakori ga hidoi desu' (My stiff shoulders are bad). You can also start to explain the reason using 'de.' For example, 'PC de katakori ga hidoi desu' (My shoulders are stiff from the PC). You will see this word in drugstores on signs for medicine. It's helpful to know the verb form 'koru' (to get stiff). You can say 'Kata ga korimashita' (My shoulders got stiff). This level is about connecting the physical feeling to a cause in a simple way. You might also hear 'Katakori no kusuri' (Medicine for stiff shoulders).

At the B1 level, you should understand the cultural context of '肩こり.' It's not just a physical pain; it's a common complaint among office workers. You can use more varied verbs like 'nayamu' (to suffer from) or 'kaishou suru' (to relieve). For example, 'Zutto katakori ni nayande imasu' (I've been suffering from stiff shoulders for a long time). You should also be able to discuss remedies, such as 'massage' or 'stretches.' At this level, you can participate in office small talk about health. You might say, 'Saikin, isogashikute katakori ga hidoi n desu yo' (Lately, I've been busy and my stiff shoulders are really bad). You are moving beyond simple existence to describing the impact on your daily life.

At the B2 level, you can use '肩こり' in more complex grammatical structures and understand its nuances compared to other types of pain. You can discuss the relationship between 'katakori' and things like 'gansei hirou' (eye strain) or 'kekkou' (blood circulation). You should be comfortable using the word in professional settings to explain why you might need a break or a better chair. You can also understand more technical explanations of why it happens, such as 'shisei' (posture) or 'stresso' (stress). You might use phrases like 'katakori wo hogusu' (to loosen the stiffness) or 'katakori ga j持病 (jibyou - chronic condition) desu.' Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'seitai' (body alignment) and 'shippu' (medicated patches).

At the C1 level, you can discuss '肩こり' as a socio-cultural phenomenon. You might talk about its history, such as how Soseki Natsume popularized the term, or the 'katakori industry' in Japan. You can use advanced vocabulary to describe the sensation, such as 'mansei-teki' (chronic) or 'zushiri to omoi' (heavily weighted). You can also debate the effectiveness of various treatments using logical arguments. You should be able to read medical brochures or long-form articles about the physiological causes of muscle tension without much help. At this level, you understand the metaphorical uses of the word and can use it subtly in conversation to convey a sense of being 'stiff' or 'formal' in certain contexts.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '肩こり.' You can understand and use medical terminology associated with it, such as 'kin-kinkhou-sei zutsuu' (tension-type headache). You can appreciate the nuance in literature or high-level journalism where 'katakori' might be used to symbolize the burdens of modern Japanese society or the rigidity of corporate culture. You can fluidly switch between casual complaints and formal medical discussions. You might even be able to explain the concept of 'kori' (stagnation/stiffness) in the context of traditional Eastern medicine (Kanpo) and how it relates to 'Ki' (energy) flow. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, incorporating idioms and perfect register control.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

肩こり in 30 Seconds

肩こり (Katakori) means stiff shoulders and is a ubiquitous term in Japan for muscle tension in the neck and upper back area.
It is culturally significant, often signaling hard work or stress, and has a massive industry of remedies like patches and massages.
Grammatically, it is a noun used with verbs like 'hidoi' (severe), 'nayamu' (suffer), and 'hogusu' (loosen).
Unlike the English 'pain,' it specifically refers to a dull, heavy stiffness rather than a sharp injury-related ache.

The term 肩こり (Katakori) is more than just a medical description of muscle tension; it is a cultural phenomenon in Japan. Literally translating to 'shoulder stiffness' or 'shoulder congealing,' it refers to a specific type of discomfort, tightness, or dull ache in the neck and upper back area, specifically the trapezius muscles. While English speakers might simply say 'my neck is tight' or 'I have a sore shoulder,' the Japanese concept of katakori is a distinct ailment that almost every adult in Japan claims to suffer from at some point. It is often linked to the high-pressure work environment, long hours of sitting at a computer, and the physical manifestation of stress. Historically, the term gained widespread popularity through the writings of the famous Meiji-era novelist Soseki Natsume, who used it to describe the physical toll of modernity and intellectual labor. Before this, the sensation existed, but it lacked this specific, catchy label that resonates so deeply with the Japanese psyche today.

Cultural Nuance: In Japan, discussing one's 肩こり is a common social lubricant in the workplace, signaling that one has been working hard or is under significant pressure.

最近、仕事が忙しくて肩こりがひどいです。 (Recently, I've been so busy with work that my stiff shoulders are terrible.)

Physiologically, Japanese people often attribute 肩こり to poor blood circulation (血行不良 - kekkou furyou) or the 'accumulation of old blood.' This leads to a massive market for remedies including medicated patches (シップ - shippu), magnetic necklaces (磁気ネックレス - jiki nekkuresu), and specialized massage techniques like Anma or Shiatsu. Unlike a sharp pain (痛み - itami), 肩こり is described as a heavy, dragging sensation. It is the quintessential 'salaryman's ailment,' often joked about but seriously treated. When you use this word, you are tapping into a shared experience of the modern Japanese lifestyle.

Medical Context: While not a disease itself, chronic 肩こり can lead to tension headaches and is often the first symptom a patient mentions to a doctor in Japan.

パソコンの使いすぎで、肩こりから頭痛がしてきました。 (Using the computer too much caused a headache starting from my stiff shoulders.)

Furthermore, the word is used metaphorically in some contexts to describe a 'stiff' or 'formal' atmosphere, although this is less common than its physical meaning. In a social setting, asking someone '肩こり、大丈夫ですか？' (Are your shoulders okay?) is a way of showing concern for their workload. It is a word that bridges the gap between physical health and social empathy in Japanese culture.

Using 肩こり (Katakori) correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun. While it translates to 'stiff shoulders,' it functions as a single noun representing the condition itself. You don't usually say 'my shoulders are stiff' using an adjective in the same way English does; instead, you say 'stiff shoulders exist' or 'the stiff shoulders are bad.' The most common verb pairings are ga hidoi (is severe), ni nayamu (to suffer from), and wo hogusu (to loosen up/massage out). For example, to say 'I have stiff shoulders,' you would say 'Katakori ga arimasu' or more naturally, 'Katakori ga hidoi desu.'

Common Verb Pairings: 1. 肩こりがひどい (Severe stiffness)
2. 肩こりを解消する (To resolve/relieve stiffness)
3. 肩こりに効く (To be effective against stiffness)

このマッサージ機は肩こりにすごく効きますよ。 (This massager is very effective for stiff shoulders.)

When describing the cause of the stiffness, the particle で (de) is frequently used to indicate the reason. Phrases like 'Sumaho no tsugisugi de...' (From overusing my smartphone...) or 'Desk work de...' (From desk work...) are ubiquitous. It is also important to note that 肩こり is almost always used in the singular, even though it refers to both shoulders. You wouldn't say 'katakori-tachi' or specify 'left' or 'right' unless you are at a clinic, where you might say 'migi no kata ga koru' (my right shoulder is stiffening).

Sentence Structure Example: [Cause] + のせいで + [肩こり] + が + [Adjective/Verb].
Example: 運動不足のせいで肩こりがひどくなった。 (Due to lack of exercise, my stiff shoulders got worse.)

長時間の運転で、ひどい肩こりになった。 (I got severe stiff shoulders from driving for a long time.)

In more formal settings, such as a medical consultation, you might hear 'Kenshouen' (tendonitis) or 'Keitsuishou' (cervical spondylosis), but 肩こり remains the standard way to describe the general feeling of tightness. It is a safe, polite, and universally understood term that fits into any conversation level from casual chats with friends to semi-formal workplace discussions.

You will encounter 肩こり (Katakori) in a variety of real-world environments in Japan. One of the most prominent places is on television and in drugstores. Japan has a multi-billion yen industry dedicated to 'katakori' relief. Commercials for products like Salomonpas, Pip Elekiban (magnetic patches), and various 'Kaiteki' (comfort) creams saturate the airwaves. In any Japanese drugstore (Matsumoto Kiyoshi, etc.), you will see entire aisles labeled with the kanji 肩こり, featuring images of glowing red shoulders to indicate pain and blue cooling effects to indicate relief.

Common Locations: Drugstores, Massage Parlors (Seitai/Sekkotsuin), Office Breakrooms, and TV Commercials.

ドラッグストアで肩こりの薬を買ってきました。 (I bought some medicine for stiff shoulders at the drugstore.)

In the workplace, 肩こり is a standard topic of small talk. During a coffee break, a colleague might stretch their arms and sigh, 'Aa, katakori ga...' (Ah, my shoulders...). This is an invitation for others to sympathize, often leading to a discussion about who has the best massage therapist or which brand of 'shipu' (patch) is the most effective. It acts as a badge of hard work. If you don't have 肩こり, are you even working?

Media Usage: Health variety shows (kenkou bangumi) frequently dedicate entire episodes to 'Sayonara Katakori' (Goodbye Stiff Shoulders), teaching stretches and dietary tips.

テレビで肩こり解消のストレッチを紹介していた。 (They were introducing stretches to relieve stiff shoulders on TV.)

You will also hear it at the 'Sekkotsuin' (orthopedic clinic) or 'Seitai' (chiropractic/body alignment clinic). These clinics are on almost every street corner in Japanese cities. When you enter, the receptionist will likely ask, 'Kyou wa doko ga tsurai desu ka?' (Where is it painful today?), to which the most common answer is 'Katakori desu.' The ubiquity of this word makes it one of the most practical health-related terms to learn for anyone living or working in Japan.

While 肩こり (Katakori) seems straightforward, English speakers often make mistakes by trying to translate English idioms directly into Japanese. The most common error is using the word itai (painful) when they should use koru (to stiffen). In English, we say 'My shoulders hurt.' In Japanese, saying 'Kata ga itai' implies a sharp, perhaps injury-related pain. If you mean the dull, heavy tension from sitting at a desk, you must use 肩こり or the verb 凝る (koru). Using 'itai' might lead a doctor to look for a tear or a bruise rather than just muscle tension.

Mistake 1: Direct Translation: Incorrect: 肩が痛い (Kata ga itai) when you mean tension.
Correct: 肩が凝っている (Kata ga kotte iru) or 肩こりがする (Katakori ga suru).

× 昨日は肩こりを痛めました。 (I hurt my stiff shoulders - Grammatically weird.)
○ 昨日は肩こりがひどかったです。 (My stiff shoulders were bad yesterday.)

Another mistake is the confusion between 肩こり and 四十肩 (shijyuu-kata) or 五十肩 (gojyuu-kata). These latter terms refer to 'frozen shoulder' (adhesive capsulitis), which typically affects people in their 40s or 50s. While they involve the shoulder, they are specific medical conditions involving a loss of range of motion, whereas 肩こり is just muscle stiffness. Don't use 'shijyuu-kata' just because you are 40; only use it if your shoulder is actually 'frozen.'

Mistake 2: Particles: Incorrect: 肩こりをある (Katakori wo aru).
Correct: 肩こりがある (Katakori ga aru) - Existence requires the 'ga' particle.

× 彼は肩こりをしています。
○ 彼は肩こりに悩んでいます。 (He is suffering from stiff shoulders.)

Finally, remember that 肩 (kata) in Japanese covers a slightly different area than 'shoulder' in English. In English, we often think of the joint where the arm meets the torso. In Japanese, 肩こり almost always refers to the area between the neck and the shoulder blade. If your actual shoulder joint hurts, you might need to specify 'kata no kansetsu' (shoulder joint) to avoid being misunderstood as having simple muscle tension.

While 肩こり (Katakori) is the most common term, there are several related words that describe different nuances of muscle discomfort or physical states. Understanding these will help you be more precise in your descriptions. For instance, 張り (Hari) refers to a feeling of 'tightness' or 'tension,' like a drum skin stretched thin. You might say 'Senaka ga hatte iru' (My back is tight/tense). This is slightly different from 凝り (Kori), which implies a hardening or knotting of the muscle.

Katakori vs. Hari: Kori: Knotted, hard, stagnant feeling.
Hari: Stretched tight, swollen feeling, often used for skin or muscles after exercise.

筋肉の張りを感じるので、マッサージに行きます。 (I feel muscle tightness, so I'm going for a massage.)

Another alternative is だるさ (Darusa), which means 'sluggishness' or 'languor.' If your shoulders don't necessarily feel hard but they feel heavy and tired, you would say 'Kata ga darui.' This is common when you are coming down with a cold or are generally exhausted. If there is actual pain, you use 痛み (Itami). If there is a tingling or numbing sensation, the word is 痺れ (Shibure). In a medical context, 筋緊張 (Kinkinchou) is the technical term for muscle tension.

Similar Terms Comparison: 1. 首こり (Kubi-kori): Stiff neck.
2. 背中の凝り (Senaka no kori): Stiff back.
3. 眼精疲労 (Gansei hirou): Eye strain (often cited as a cause of katakori).

最近は首こりもひどくて、仕事に集中できません。 (Lately, my neck stiffness is also bad, and I can't concentrate on work.)

Finally, for a more poetic or old-fashioned way to describe the same feeling, you might hear 肩が重い (Kata ga omoi), which literally means 'shoulders are heavy.' This is often used to describe the burden of responsibility as well as physical stiffness. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to sound clinical, casual, or descriptive of the specific sensation you are experiencing.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The specific term 'katakori' was not widely used as a medical complaint until the novelist Soseki Natsume described it in his 1910 novel 'Michikusa.' He essentially gave a name to a feeling everyone had but didn't know how to label.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ka.ta.ko.ɾi/

US /kɑ.tɑ.koʊ.ri/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'katakori', the pitch usually starts low on 'ka' and rises on 'ta', then stays relatively flat or drops slightly.

Rhymes With

Tonari (Neighbor) Hikari (Light) Matsuri (Festival) Inari (Type of sushi) Kumori (Cloudy) Yumegori (Dreaming - rare) Amari (Remainder) Okuri (Sending)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ri' like the English 'r'. It should be a light tap of the tongue, similar to the 'd' in 'ladder'.
Elongating the 'o' in 'ko' like 'ko-oh'. It should be a short, crisp 'o'.
Putting heavy stress on one syllable. Japanese syllables should have roughly equal length.
Misreading the kanji '肩' as '胃' (stomach) because they look slightly similar to beginners.
Confusing 'kori' with 'kouri' (ice).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji 肩 (shoulder) is common, but 凝 (stiffness) is a bit more complex (N1 level kanji).

Writing 4/5

Writing '凝' by hand is difficult due to the many strokes.

Speaking 1/5

Very easy to pronounce and use in daily conversation.

Listening 1/5

Very distinct sound, easy to pick out in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

肩 (Kata) 痛い (Itai) ひどい (Hidoi) 仕事 (Shigoto) 体 (Karada)

Learn Next

腰痛 (Youtsuu - lower back pain) 湿布 (Shippu - patch) 整体 (Seitai - body alignment) 筋肉痛 (Kinnikutsuu - muscle ache) 疲労 (Hirou - fatigue)

Advanced

頸椎 (Keitsui - cervical spine) 自律神経 (Jiritsu shinkei - autonomic nervous system) 血行促進 (Kekkou sokushin - promoting blood flow) 眼精疲労 (Gansei hirou - eye strain)

Grammar to Know

Noun + がする (Physical sensation)

肩こりがする、寒気がする、匂いがする。

Cause + で (Reason for condition)

仕事で肩こりがひどい。

Ni yoru (Due to - formal)

長時間の作業による肩こり。

Ni nayamu (To suffer from)

長年、肩こりに悩んでいる。

Ni kiku (Effective for)

このストレッチは肩こりに効く。

Examples by Level

肩こりがあります。

I have stiff shoulders.

Uses the 'ga arimasu' pattern for existence.

肩こりです。

It is stiff shoulders.

Simple noun + desu.

ひどい肩こり。

Bad stiff shoulders.

Adjective 'hidoi' modifying the noun.

肩こりの薬。

Medicine for stiff shoulders.

Possessive 'no' connecting two nouns.

肩こり、大丈夫？

Are your stiff shoulders okay?

Casual question with rising intonation.

勉強で肩こりになった。

I got stiff shoulders from studying.

Particle 'de' shows the cause.

肩こりが痛い。

My stiff shoulders are painful.

Though common, 'itai' usually refers to the result.

お母さんは肩こりです。

My mother has stiff shoulders.

Topic marker 'wa' with a state of being.

パソコンを使いすぎて肩こりがひどいです。

My stiff shoulders are bad because I used the computer too much.

Te-form 'tsukaisugite' showing cause.

肩こりに効くマッサージを教えてください。

Please tell me a massage that works for stiff shoulders.

Particle 'ni' indicates the target of the effect.

毎日ストレッチをすると、肩こりがよくなります。

If you stretch every day, your stiff shoulders will get better.

Conditional 'to' for natural consequences.

昨日から肩こりがしています。

I've had stiff shoulders since yesterday.

Using 'suru' to describe a physical state.

この枕は肩こりになりにくいです。

This pillow makes it hard to get stiff shoulders.

Verb stem + 'nikui' (hard to do).

仕事の合間に肩こりをほぐします。

I loosen my stiff shoulders during work breaks.

Direct object 'wo' with the verb 'hogusu'.

肩こりがひどいので、お風呂に入ります。

Since my stiff shoulders are bad, I'll take a bath.

Conjunction 'node' for reason.

彼はいつも肩こりに悩んでいます。

He is always suffering from stiff shoulders.

Continuous form 'nayande imasu'.

長時間のデスクワークは、ひどい肩こりの原因になります。

Long hours of desk work cause severe stiff shoulders.

Noun + 'no gen'in ni naru' (becomes the cause of).

肩こりを解消するために、ヨガを始めました。

I started yoga in order to relieve my stiff shoulders.

'Tame ni' showing purpose.

日本人はよく肩こりになると言われています。

It is said that Japanese people often get stiff shoulders.

Passive form 'iwarete iru' (it is said).

湿布を貼ったら、少し肩こりが楽になりました。

After putting on a patch, my stiff shoulders felt a bit better.

Tara-form for sequence and result.

肩こりがひどすぎて、頭痛までしてきました。

My stiff shoulders were so bad that I even got a headache.

Particle 'made' emphasizing the extent.

マッサージに行きたいですが、肩こりが治るか分かりません。

I want to go for a massage, but I don't know if the stiffness will be cured.

Indirect question 'ka wakarimasen'.

最近のスマホの使いすぎは、若者の肩こりを増やしています。

Overusing smartphones lately is increasing stiff shoulders among young people.

Transitive verb 'fuyashite iru' (is increasing).

肩こりにならないように、姿勢に気をつけています。

I'm careful about my posture so that I don't get stiff shoulders.

'You ni' showing a goal or prevention.

慢性的な肩こりに悩まされている現代人は多いです。

Many modern people are plagued by chronic stiff shoulders.

Passive 'nayamasarete iru' (being troubled by).

ストレスが原因で肩こりが悪化することもあります。

There are times when stress causes stiff shoulders to worsen.

'Koto mo aru' (there are times when).

肩こりを放置すると、他の部位にも影響が出ます。

If you leave stiff shoulders untreated, it will affect other parts of the body.

Conditional 'to' for logical consequence.

眼精疲労と肩こりには密接な関係があると言われています。

It is said that there is a close relationship between eye strain and stiff shoulders.

Adjective 'missetsu-na' (close/intimate).

彼は肩こり解消のスペシャリストとして知られています。

He is known as a specialist in relieving stiff shoulders.

'Toshite' (as/in the capacity of).

適切な運動は肩こりの予防に非常に効果的です。

Appropriate exercise is extremely effective in preventing stiff shoulders.

Noun + 'ni koukateki' (effective for).

肩こりがひどい時は、無理をせずに休むことが大切です。

When stiff shoulders are bad, it's important to rest without overdoing it.

Negative te-form 'sezu ni' (without doing).

このサプリメントは肩こりの緩和に役立ちます。

This supplement helps in alleviating stiff shoulders.

Verb 'yakudatsu' (to be useful).

夏目漱石の小説によって「肩こり」という言葉が一般に定着したという説があります。

There is a theory that the word 'katakori' became established among the public due to Natsume Soseki's novels.

Complex noun phrase followed by 'to iu setsu' (a theory that).

肩こりは単なる筋肉の緊張ではなく、精神的な要因も大きく関与しています。

Stiff shoulders are not just simple muscle tension; psychological factors also play a major role.

'Dewa naku' (not A, but B) structure.

日本独自の概念とも言える肩こりは、西洋では「首の痛み」と表現されることが多いです。

Stiff shoulders, which can be called a uniquely Japanese concept, are often expressed as 'neck pain' in the West.

Appositive 'tomo ieru' (which can also be said to be).

労働環境の改善が、国民病とも呼ばれる肩こりの減少に繋がるはずです。

Improving the working environment should lead to a reduction in stiff shoulders, which is also called a national disease.

Auxiliary 'hazu' (should/is expected to).

肩こりのメカニズムを解明するために、最新の医学研究が進められています。

Latest medical research is being advanced to clarify the mechanism of stiff shoulders.

Passive potential 'susumerarete iru'.

鍼灸治療は、頑固な肩こりに対して非常に有効なアプローチの一つです。

Acupuncture treatment is one of the very effective approaches for stubborn stiff shoulders.

Adjective 'ganko-na' (stubborn/persistent).

肩こりという主観的な症状を客観的に測定するのは非常に困難です。

It is extremely difficult to objectively measure the subjective symptom called stiff shoulders.

Nominalizing a whole clause with 'no'.

現代社会におけるデスクワークの増加は、肩こりの低年齢化を招いています。

The increase in desk work in modern society is leading to stiff shoulders occurring at younger ages.

Compound noun 'teinenreika' (becoming younger in age).

肩こりは日本人の身体観や労働倫理と密接に結びついた文化特異的症候群としての側面を持っています。

Stiff shoulders have an aspect as a culture-bound syndrome closely tied to Japanese views of the body and work ethics.

High-level academic vocabulary like 'shintai-kan' and 'shoukougun'.

「肩が凝る」という身体的感覚が、漱石文学を通じて日本人の自己意識の中に組み込まれていった過程は興味深いです。

The process by which the physical sensation of 'shoulders stiffening' was integrated into the Japanese self-consciousness through Soseki's literature is fascinating.

Relative clause modifying 'katei' (process).

東洋医学の視点からは、肩こりは「気」や「血」の滞り、すなわち「不通則痛」の現れと解釈されます。

From the perspective of Eastern medicine, stiff shoulders are interpreted as a stagnation of 'Qi' or 'Blood,' namely the manifestation of 'pain where there is no flow.'

Use of 'sunawachi' (namely/in other words).

経済的損失という観点からも、肩こりによる生産性の低下は無視できない問題となっています。

From the perspective of economic loss as well, the decline in productivity due to stiff shoulders has become a problem that cannot be ignored.

'Kanten kara mo' (also from the viewpoint of).

自律神経の乱れが肩こりを誘発し、それがさらなるストレスを生むという負のスパイラルに陥るケースが多々見受けられます。

Many cases are observed where a disturbance of the autonomic nervous system induces stiff shoulders, leading to a negative spiral that generates further stress.

Complex causal chain description.

肩こりの治療において、対症療法のみならず根本的な生活習慣の改善が不可欠であることは言うまでもありません。

It goes without saying that in the treatment of stiff shoulders, not only symptomatic treatment but also fundamental lifestyle improvements are indispensable.

'Iu made mo arimasen' (it goes without saying).

「肩こり」という言葉が存在しない言語圏の人々に、この独特の不快感を正確に伝えるのは至難の業です。

It is an extremely difficult task to accurately convey this unique discomfort to people in linguistic spheres where the word 'katakori' does not exist.

Idiomatic expression 'shinan no waza' (Herculean task).

情報化社会の進展に伴い、VDT作業に起因する肩こりは、もはや個人の問題ではなく社会全体で取り組むべき課題です。

With the progress of the information society, stiff shoulders caused by VDT (Video Display Terminal) work are no longer an individual problem but a challenge that society as a whole should tackle.

'Ni tomonai' (along with) and 'beki' (should).

Common Collocations

肩こりがひどい

肩こりをほぐす

肩こりに悩む

慢性的な肩こり

肩こり解消

肩こりの原因

肩こりに効く

肩こりからくる頭痛

頑固な肩こり

肩こり知らず

Common Phrases

肩こりがする

— To feel or have stiff shoulders. Used commonly to describe the onset of the sensation.

デスクワークをしていると肩こりがしてくる。

肩こりを和らげる

— To ease or soften the shoulder stiffness. Often used in medical or wellness contexts.

マッサージは肩こりを和らげるのに役立つ。

肩こりが慢性化する

— For shoulder stiffness to become chronic. Used when the condition persists over a long time.

放っておくと肩こりが慢性化しますよ。

肩こり持ち

— A person who habitually suffers from stiff shoulders. Similar to saying 'I am prone to stiff shoulders.'

私は昔から肩こり持ちです。

肩こり外来

— A specialized outpatient clinic for treating stiff shoulders. Found in some Japanese hospitals.

病院の肩こり外来を受診する。

肩こり対策

— Countermeasures or steps taken to prevent or treat stiff shoulders.

冬の寒さに対する肩こり対策。

肩こりツボ

— Pressure points (acupoints) effective for relieving stiff shoulders.

肩こりのツボを押してみる。

肩こり体操

— Exercises or calisthenics specifically designed to relieve shoulder stiffness.

朝の肩こり体操が日課です。

肩こりを感じる

— To feel or sense the stiffness in one's shoulders.

夕方になると肩こりを感じる。

ひどい肩こりに見舞われる

— To be struck by or suffer from severe stiff shoulders suddenly.

徹夜明けにひどい肩こりに見舞われた。

Often Confused With

肩こり vs 四十肩 (Shijyuukata)

Refers to frozen shoulder, a specific medical condition with limited movement, not just general stiffness.

肩こり vs 筋肉痛 (Kinnikutsuu)

Muscle soreness specifically after exercise, whereas katakori is chronic tension.

肩こり vs 首の痛み (Kubi no itami)

Generic neck pain, which may or may not be the 'stiffness' implied by katakori.

Idioms & Expressions

"肩が凝る"

— Literally to have stiff shoulders, but also used to describe feeling stiff or formal in a social situation.

そんなにかしこまると肩が凝るよ。

Casual/Metaphorical

"肩の荷が下りる"

— To have a burden removed; to feel relieved from a responsibility. (Related to the 'shoulder' theme).

プロジェクトが終わって肩の荷が下りた。

Common

"肩を並べる"

— To be on equal footing with someone; to rival.

彼は一流選手と肩を並べる実力がある。

Common

"肩を入れる"

— To support or help someone earnestly.

彼はその若手俳優に肩を入れている。

Neutral

"肩を落とす"

— To drop one's shoulders in disappointment; to be disheartened.

試験に落ちて肩を落としている。

Common

"肩を持つ"

— To side with someone; to take someone's part in an argument.

君はいつも彼の肩を持つね。

Common

"肩で風を切る"

— To walk with a swagger; to be full of pride or arrogance.

彼は出世してから肩で風を切って歩いている。

Idiomatic

"肩をすくめる"

— To shrug one's shoulders (often indicating 'I don't know' or 'it can't be helped').

彼は困った顔をして肩をすくめた。

Common

"肩が軽くなる"

— To feel lighter after a burden is removed (physical or mental).

マッサージの後は肩が軽くなる。

Neutral

"肩を貸す"

— To lend a shoulder; to help someone walk or support them through a hard time.

怪我をした友人に肩を貸して歩く。

Common

Easily Confused

肩こり vs 懲りる (Koriru)

Sounds similar to the verb form of katakori (koru).

Koriru means to learn a lesson from a bad experience (e.g., 'I've learned my lesson!'), while koru means to stiffen.

失敗に懲りる (Learn from failure) vs 肩が凝る (Shoulders stiffen).

肩こり vs 凍る (Kooru)

Both relate to the concept of hardening.

Kooru is specifically for freezing (ice), while koru is for muscles or preoccupation.

水が凍る (Water freezes).

肩こり vs 凝る (Koru - Interest)

It is actually the same verb.

In one context it means muscle stiffness, in another it means to be obsessed with a hobby.

カメラに凝る (To be really into cameras).

肩こり vs 張り (Hari)

Both describe muscle states.

Hari is tension/tightness; Kori is a hard knot/stiffness.

ふくらはぎの張り (Tightness in calves).

肩こり vs 凝らす (Korasu)

Same root.

Korasu is active (to focus eyes/mind), while koru is usually passive/state.

目を凝らす (To strain one's eyes/look closely).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] があります。

肩こりがあります。

[Cause] で肩こりがひどいです。

仕事で肩こりがひどいです。

肩こりを解消するために [Action]。

肩こりを解消するためにマッサージに行きます。

肩こりに悩まされている [People]。

肩こりに悩まされている会社員は多い。

[Condition] が肩こりを引き起こす。

悪い姿勢が肩こりを引き起こす原因となる。

肩こりは [Concept] と密接に関わっている。

肩こりは日本人の労働観と密接に関わっている。

肩こりが [Verb (Intransitive)]。

肩こりが治った。

肩こりを [Verb (Transitive)]。

肩こりを治したい。

Word Family

Nouns

肩 (Kata - Shoulder)

凝り (Kori - Stiffness)

凝り性 (Korishou - Enthusiastic/fastidious nature)

Verbs

凝る (Koru - To become stiff; to be absorbed in)

凝らす (Korasu - To concentrate/focus)

凝り固まる (Korikatamaru - To harden/become stiff)

Adjectives

凝った (Kotta - Elaborate/stiff)

肩苦しい (Katagurushii - Formal/stiff/stifling)

首 (Kubi - Neck)

背中 (Senaka - Back)

筋肉 (Kinniku - Muscle)

マッサージ (Massaaji - Massage)

湿布 (Shippu - Medicated patch)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, health media, and workplace conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'itai' for everything. → Using 'katakori' or 'koru' for tension.
In English, we say 'my shoulders hurt,' but in Japanese, 'itai' sounds like an injury. For tension, use 'koru.'
Saying 'Katakori wo shimasu'. → Saying 'Katakori ga shimasu' or 'Katakori ga arimasu'.
Physical states of being usually use the 'ga' particle, not the direct object 'wo.'
Confusing 'Katakori' with 'Kinkikutsuu'. → Use 'Katakori' for chronic desk-work tension.
Kinnikutsuu is for after the gym. Katakori is for after the office.
Pluralizing the word. → Just use 'Katakori'.
Don't try to say 'both shoulders' unless necessary; 'katakori' implies the whole area.
Using 'Katakori' for a broken shoulder. → Use 'Kossetsu' (fracture) or 'Kega' (injury).
Katakori is strictly for muscle stiffness/tension.

Tips

Stretching

Doing shoulder rolls every 30 minutes during desk work can significantly reduce the build-up of katakori. Try to pull your shoulder blades together.

Empathy

If a Japanese coworker complains about katakori, simply saying 'Taihen desu ne' (That's tough) shows great empathy and understanding of their hard work.

Verb Pairing

Remember that 'hidoi' (terrible/severe) is the best friend of 'katakori.' They are almost always seen together in casual speech.

Patch Types

There are 'hot' (on-kan) and 'cold' (rei-kan) patches. Use cold for sudden inflammation and hot for chronic, long-term katakori to improve blood flow.

Existence

Use the particle 'ga' with 'aru' to state you have the condition. 'Katakori ga arimasu' is the textbook correct way to say it.

Pitch Accent

Keep the 'ka' low and the rest of the word slightly higher to sound more like a native speaker. Avoid the English 'r' sound.

Bath Salts

Look for bath salts (nyuyokuzai) that say 'Katakori' on the box. They usually contain carbon dioxide to stimulate circulation.

Smartphone Neck

A modern synonym often used now is 'sumaho-kubi' (smartphone neck), which is a specific type of katakori.

Oral Medicine

Some oral medicines like 'Arinamin' are famous in Japan for treating katakori from the inside by providing Vitamin B1.

Ergonomics

Adjusting your monitor height so you don't look down is the #1 tip Japanese experts give for preventing katakori.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'KATA' (like a Karate Kata, which requires shoulder movement) and 'KORI' (like 'Core' or 'Cold' ice). Your shoulders (KATA) are as hard as ice (KORI).

Visual Association

Imagine a person sitting at a computer with small ice cubes or hard rocks sitting right on top of their shoulders.

Word Web

Shoulder Stiffness Massage Patch Desk work Stress Neck Posture

Challenge

Try to tell a Japanese colleague 'Katakori ga hidoi desu' next time you feel tired, and see if they recommend a remedy!

Word Origin

The word is a compound of 'kata' (shoulder) and 'kori' (stiffness). 'Kori' comes from the verb 'koru,' which historically meant to freeze or solidify.

Original meaning: To become solid or stagnant like ice.

Japonic

Cultural Context

It is a very safe word to use. However, avoid telling someone they have 'shijyuu-kata' (40-year-old shoulder) unless you are very close, as it implies they are getting old.

Westerners usually say 'stiff neck' or 'tight shoulders.' The single word 'katakori' doesn't have a perfect one-word equivalent in English that carries the same cultural weight.

Soseki Natsume's novel 'Michikusa' (The Grass on the Wayside). Salomonpas commercials (iconic in Japan). Anpanman (who sometimes helps characters with their stiff shoulders).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office / Workplace

デスクワークで肩こりが...
ちょっと肩こりをほぐしてきます
肩こりに効く椅子ですね
お互い肩こりが大変ですね

Drugstore

肩こりの薬はどこですか？
一番効く肩こり湿布をください
肩こりに塗るタイプはありますか？
飲み薬の肩こり薬を探しています

Massage / Clinic

特に肩こりがひどいです
肩こりから頭痛がします
肩こりを重点的にお願いします
いつから肩こりがありますか？

At Home

肩こりひどいから、ちょっと揉んで
肩こり解消グッズを買ったよ
お風呂で肩こりが楽になった
スマホの見すぎで肩こりになった

Health Discussion

肩こりの原因は姿勢らしい
ヨガは肩こりにいいですよ
慢性的な肩こりは辛いよね
肩こりがない人が羨ましい

Conversation Starters

"最近、肩こりがひどいんですけど、何かいい解消法知っていますか？ (Lately my shoulders are stiff; do you know any good remedies?)"

"仕事中、肩こりになりませんか？ (Don't you get stiff shoulders during work?)"

"そのマッサージ機、肩こりに効きそうですね。 (That massager looks like it would work for stiff shoulders.)"

"私はひどい肩こり持ちなのですが、そちらはどうですか？ (I suffer from bad stiff shoulders; how about you?)"

"肩こりが原因で頭痛がすることってありますか？ (Do you ever get headaches caused by stiff shoulders?)"

Journal Prompts

今日は一日中パソコンを使っていたので、肩こりがひどくなりました。どうやってリラックスしましたか？ (I used the PC all day so my shoulders got stiff. How did you relax?)

あなたの国では「肩こり」という言葉がありますか？日本の肩こりとどう違いますか？ (Is there a word for 'katakori' in your country? How is it different?)

肩こりを解消するために、新しい枕や椅子を買ったことがありますか？効果はどうでしたか？ (Have you ever bought a new pillow or chair to fix stiff shoulders? Was it effective?)

もし肩こりが全くなかったら、一日の過ごし方は変わりますか？ (If you had no stiff shoulders at all, would your daily life change?)

日本のドラッグストアで肩こりの薬を見た時の感想を書いてください。 (Write about your impressions when you saw stiff shoulder medicine in a Japanese drugstore.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Kata ga koru' is a verb phrase meaning 'my shoulders are getting stiff.' 'Katakori' is the noun meaning 'stiff shoulders.' You use the noun more often when talking about the condition as a whole, like 'I have katakori.' Use the verb to describe the action happening right now.

It's a mix of a high-stress work culture and a specific linguistic label. Because the word exists and is popular, people notice the sensation more and use it as a way to bond over the hardships of work. It's almost a national shared experience.

While it's not a 'disease,' it is a recognized set of symptoms in Japan. Western doctors might diagnose it as 'myofascial pain syndrome' or simple muscle tension, but in Japan, it's treated as a primary complaint.

You can say 'Kata ni shikori ga aru' (There is a lump/knot) or 'Gorigori shite iru' (It feels hard and crunchy).

Medicated patches (shippu), massage (seitai/shiatsu), acupuncture (shinkyuu), and hot baths (onsen/sento) are the most popular remedies.

Yes, increasingly so due to heavy school bags and smartphone use. It's called 'Kodomo no katakori.'

Yes, in Japan, tension headaches are very frequently attributed to 'katakori.' It's called 'katakori-sei zutsuu.'

It comes from the same root but means 'stiff and formal' or 'uncomfortable' in a social sense, like a very formal party.

Katakori usually includes the neck and the upper shoulders. If you only want to say neck, you say 'kubikori.' If it's actual pain, use 'itami.'

You can say 'Katakori no kusuri wa doko desu ka?' or 'Katakori ni kiku shippu wo kudasai.'