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B1 noun #9,000 mais comum 10 min de leitura

腎臓

jinzou Top 9,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 腎臓 em 30 segundos

Explicação 腎臓 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to know the word '腎臓' (jinzō) for daily survival. However, you might encounter it if you look at a diagram of the human body. At this stage, focus on the fact that it is a 'body part' (からだのパーツ). You can think of it as a bean-shaped organ that helps you go to the bathroom. You won't be expected to use it in conversation, but recognizing that words ending in 'zō' usually refer to internal organs is a great first step. If you see it in a hospital, just know it means 'kidney.'

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At the A2 level, you begin to learn more specific words for health. You might hear '腎臓' if you go to a doctor in Japan for a checkup. You should be able to recognize the word when spoken and understand that it relates to your internal health. You might learn to say simple things like '腎臓が痛いです' (My kidney hurts) if you feel a specific pain, although 'back pain' (koshi no itami) is more common. You should also start to recognize the kanji '臓' as it appears in many organ names like 'shinzō' (heart).

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At the B1 level, '腎臓' is a key vocabulary word for discussing health, lifestyle, and medical news. You should understand its function as a filter for the body. You can use it in sentences to describe habits, such as '塩分を控えて腎臓を守る' (Reduce salt to protect the kidneys). You will encounter this word in health articles and on medical forms. You should also be able to distinguish it from 'kanzō' (liver) and 'shinzō' (heart), which are common points of confusion for intermediate learners.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '腎臓' in more complex discussions. This includes talking about chronic diseases (慢性腎臓病), the importance of hydration during exercise, and the societal impact of organ donation. You should be comfortable reading medical news that uses the word and understanding related terms like 'tōseki' (dialysis). Your ability to explain why the kidney is important for overall health in Japanese should be developing, using formal grammar and specialized terminology appropriately.

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At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of '腎臓' in various professional and academic contexts. This includes nephrology (腎臓学), the nuances of organ transplant laws in Japan, and the bioethics surrounding artificial organ development. You should be able to follow a detailed medical lecture or read a research paper that mentions kidney function, creatinine levels, and glomerular filtration rates (GFR) without needing to look up the basic term. You can also discuss the history of how medical terms like 'jinzō' were translated into Japanese.

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At the C2 level, '腎臓' is a word you master in its most technical and metaphorical senses. You can discuss the intricacies of renal pathology, the economic burden of dialysis on the Japanese national health insurance system, and the cultural perceptions of 'Jin' in traditional East Asian medicine versus modern Western medicine. You can debate complex topics such as the ethics of 'kidney sales' (metaphorically or literally in international contexts) and use the word fluently in any high-level medical or policy-making environment.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

腎臓 em 30 segundos

腎臓 (Jinzō) means 'kidney' in Japanese. It is an essential organ for filtering blood and maintaining fluid balance in the body.
The word is commonly heard in medical contexts, health checkups, and news about organ transplants or regenerative medicine research.
Learners often confuse it with 肝臓 (kanzō - liver) due to the similar sound. Focus on the 'jin' vs 'kan' sound to distinguish.
In daily life, it is often discussed in relation to salt intake and hydration, especially during the hot Japanese summers.

The Japanese word 腎臓 (じんぞう - Jinzō) is the anatomical term for the kidney. In a biological sense, it refers to the pair of organs located in the abdominal cavity that are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them as urine. For English speakers, the word corresponds directly to 'kidney' in almost every context, whether medical, daily health-related, or biological. The term is composed of two kanji characters: 腎 (jin), which specifically means kidney, and 臓 (zō), which means internal organ or viscera. Understanding this word is crucial once you move beyond basic Japanese (A2) into the intermediate (B1) level, as it frequently appears in health checkup results, news reports regarding medical breakthroughs, and discussions about general well-being. Unlike some Japanese words that have vague or multiple meanings depending on context, jinzō is quite precise. However, in traditional East Asian medicine, the concept of 'Jin' (the kidney system) extends beyond the physical organ to include aspects of vitality and reproductive health, though in modern daily Japanese, it primarily refers to the physical organ itself.

Anatomy: The physical organ located in the lower back area responsible for blood filtration.
Medical Context: Used in terms like 腎臓病 (kidney disease) or 腎臓結石 (kidney stones) during doctor consultations.
Health Checkups: Appears on the 健康診断 (kenkō shindan) forms under the urinary system section.

健康診断の結果、腎臓の数値が少し悪かったです。 (As a result of the health checkup, my kidney values were a bit bad.)

When discussing health in Japan, you will often hear jinzō paired with verbs like 患う (wazurau - to suffer from) or 機能する (kinō suru - to function). Because the kidney is vital for maintaining the body's balance of fluids and electrolytes, Japanese medical culture places a high emphasis on its protection, especially concerning the consumption of salt (塩分 - enbun). You might see posters in clinics warning that 'Too much salt burdens the jinzō' (塩分の取りすぎは腎臓に負担をかけます). Furthermore, the word appears in the context of organ donation (臓器提供 - zōki teikyō), where jinzō is one of the most commonly discussed organs for transplantation. In academic settings, the study of the kidney is called 腎臓学 (jinzōgaku - nephrology). For a learner, mastering this word involves not just the pronunciation but also recognizing the complex kanji, which both feature the 'moon' radical (月), which in this context represents 'meat' or 'body part' (肉月 - nikuzuki).

彼は腎臓移植の手術を受けました。 (He underwent kidney transplant surgery.)

Using 腎臓 correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun. It can act as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or a modifier for other nouns. Common verbs that follow jinzō include 検査する (kensa suru - to examine), 守る (mamoru - to protect), and 摘出する (tekishutsu suru - to remove surgically). When you want to say your kidney hurts, you would say 腎臓が痛む (jinzō ga itamu), though usually, people refer to back pain (腰の痛み) first before identifying the kidney as the source. In a sentence where the kidney is the focus of a condition, you use the particle 'no' to connect it to the condition, such as 腎臓の病気 (jinzō no byōki - kidney disease). It is also common to use jinzō in the possessive to describe its function: 腎臓の働き (jinzō no hataraki - the function of the kidney). In more formal or medical writing, you will see it combined with other kanji to form compound words without the 'no' particle, such as 腎臓内科 (jinzō naika - nephrology department).

Subject Marker (が): 腎臓が正常に機能しています。 (The kidneys are functioning normally.)
Object Marker (を): 医師は彼の腎臓を詳しく調べた。 (The doctor examined his kidneys in detail.)
Possessive (の): 腎臓の健康を維持することが大切です。 (It is important to maintain kidney health.)

お酒の飲みすぎは肝臓だけでなく、腎臓にも悪影響を与えます。 (Drinking too much alcohol has a negative impact not only on the liver but also on the kidneys.)

In conversation, if you are at a hospital, you might say 腎臓のあたりが重い感じです (jinzō no atari ga omoi kanji desu - the area around my kidneys feels heavy). This is a common way to describe dull pain or discomfort. Additionally, when discussing lifestyle habits, you might hear 腎臓に負担をかける (jinzō ni futan o kakeru - to put a burden on the kidneys). This phrase is used when talking about high-protein diets, excessive salt, or dehydration. The word is essentially neutral in tone; it is neither polite nor rude, as it is a standard medical term. However, because it involves the body, using it in public might be considered 'too much information' unless the context is health-related. In literature or drama, jinzō might come up in tragic plotlines involving organ failure or the search for a donor, adding a layer of gravity and seriousness to the dialogue.

人工透析は、腎臓の代わりをします。 (Dialysis acts as a substitute for the kidneys.)

You are most likely to encounter the word 腎臓 in medical settings. If you live in Japan and undergo an annual health checkup (健康診断), which is mandatory for most employees, you will see '腎臓' listed on your blood and urine test results. The doctor might point to a specific value like 'creatinine' and say, 'Jinzō no kinō ga teika shite imasu' (Your kidney function is declining). Beyond the hospital, you will hear this word in television news reports, especially those discussing medical technology, such as the development of artificial kidneys (人工腎臓) or regenerative medicine using iPS cells to create kidney tissue. Pharmacy commercials also frequently use the word when advertising supplements that claim to support organ health or reduce swelling (むくみ), as kidneys are linked to fluid regulation. In schools, students learn about jinzō in science or biology class (理科 or 生物) when studying the human body's excretory system.

TV News: Topics like organ transplant laws or new treatments for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Clinics: Waiting room posters explaining the importance of drinking water and limiting salt.
Gyms/Nutrition: Discussions about protein intake and its effect on the kidneys.

今日のニュースで、iPS細胞から腎臓の組織を作る研究が紹介されていました。 (In today's news, research on creating kidney tissue from iPS cells was introduced.)

Another place you might hear this word is in the context of sports or extreme physical exertion. In Japan, there is a heightened awareness of 'rhabdomyolysis' (横紋筋融解症), where muscle breakdown can damage the jinzō. Coaches and trainers often emphasize hydration to protect the jinzō during intense summer heat. In literature and manga, particularly those in the medical genre like 'Black Jack' or 'Team Medical Dragon,' jinzō is a frequent topic of high-stakes surgical scenes. Even in daily life, if someone is complaining about persistent swelling in their legs, a friend might suggest, 'Jinzō ga yowatte iru n janai?' (Maybe your kidneys are weakened?). This shows that the word is common enough for laypeople to use in general health advice. Understanding jinzō allows you to participate in these common Japanese conversations about health and lifestyle maintenance.

「腎臓に良い食べ物」をインターネットで検索しました。 (I searched the internet for "foods that are good for the kidneys.")

The most frequent mistake learners make with 腎臓 (jinzō) is confusing it with other internal organs that have similar-sounding names or share the same ending -zō. The biggest 'trap' is 肝臓 (kanzō - liver). Both start with a similar consonant sound and end in -zō, and both are vital organs often discussed together in health contexts. Mixing up 'kidney' and 'liver' in a medical conversation can lead to significant confusion. Another similar-sounding word is 心臓 (shinzō - heart). While 'shin' and 'jin' are distinct, in fast speech, they can sometimes be misheard by beginners. To avoid this, focus on the first syllable: Ji (Kidney), Ka (Liver), Shi (Heart). Another mistake is the kanji itself; the character 腎 is quite complex (13 strokes) and is often miswritten by forgetting the 'moon' radical at the bottom or confusing the top part with other similar components.

Phonetic Confusion: Confusing 腎臓 (jinzō) with 肝臓 (kanzō) or 心臓 (shinzō).
Kanji Errors: Writing the 'moon' radical (月) as 'sun' (日) or omitting it entirely.
Usage Error: Using 'jinzō' when referring to the waist or lower back area (koshi) in general.

✕ 私は心臓結石があります。 (I have heart stones - incorrect, should be 腎臓結石 for kidney stones.)

A subtle mistake is related to the count of the organ. In English, we almost always say 'kidneys' (plural) because we have two. In Japanese, saying 'jinzō ga itai' (my kidney hurts) is standard, even though you have two. Learners often try to force a plural by adding -tachi or other markers, which is unnatural for inanimate objects or internal organs. Simply say jinzō. Furthermore, don't confuse jinzō with jinzō (人造), which means 'man-made' or 'artificial.' Although they are homophones (both pronounced jinzō), the kanji and meanings are entirely different. Context usually makes it clear—if you are talking about a robot, it's 人造; if you are talking about anatomy, it's 腎臓. However, an 'artificial kidney' is 人工腎臓 (jinkō jinzō), which uses the anatomical jinzō. This can be a bit of a tongue-twister for learners!

✕ 人造の数値が低いです。 (Incorrect kanji - suggests 'man-made' values rather than kidney values.)

While 腎臓 is the standard term, there are other words you might encounter depending on the level of formality or the specific medical context. The most common related term is 腎 (jin). This single kanji is often used as a prefix in medical compounds like 腎不全 (jin-fuzen - kidney failure) or 腎炎 (jin-en - nephritis). In these cases, jinzō is shortened to just jin for efficiency. Another word often mentioned alongside the kidney is the 副腎 (fukujin - adrenal gland). Although 'fuku' means 'sub' or 'assistant,' the adrenal gland is a distinct organ that sits on top of the kidney. In traditional East Asian medicine (Kanpō), the term 腎気 (jinki) refers to the vital energy associated with the kidney system. This is not used in modern hospitals but might appear in acupuncture or traditional herbal medicine contexts.

腎 (Jin): The prefix form used in medical conditions (e.g., 腎不全).
泌尿器 (Hinyōki): The urinary system as a whole, which includes the kidneys.
内臓 (Naizō): A general term for 'internal organs' or 'viscera' including the kidney.

When comparing jinzō to kanzō (liver), it's helpful to remember their functions in Japanese terms: the liver is the 'chemical factory' (化学工場) while the kidney is the 'filter' (フィルター). In casual conversation, people rarely use synonyms for jinzō because it is the most direct and clear term. However, if you are talking about the meat of a kidney (as food, though less common in Japan than in some Western cuisines), it might be referred to as マメ (mame - bean) due to its shape. This is similar to how the heart is called ハツ (hatsu) in yakitori shops. However, for most learners, sticking to jinzō will cover 99% of situations. Understanding the distinction between the physical organ and the broader 'urinary system' (泌尿器系) will also help you navigate hospital departments more effectively.

彼は泌尿器科の専門医です。 (He is a specialist in the urology department.)

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The character 臓 was originally written as 臟. The simplified version used in Japan today still retains the 'meat' radical (月), which is a clue that the word relates to the physical body.

Guia de pronúncia

UK dʒɪn.zoː

US dʒɪn.zoʊ

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. In standard Japanese, 'jinzō' has a [Heiban] (Flat) or [Atamadaka] (Head-high) accent depending on the dialect, but generally, the pitch stays relatively level.

Rima com

心臓 (shinzō) 肝臓 (kanzō) 構造 (kōzō) 想像 (sōzō) 製造 (seizō) 改造 (kaizō) 銅像 (dōzō) 肖像 (shōzō)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'jin' as 'zhin' (incorrect 's' sound).
Making the 'o' in 'zō' too short (it must be long).
Confusing the 'z' sound with a 'j' sound (jin-jō).
Incorrect pitch accent making it sound like a different word.
Swapping the syllables (zō-jin).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 4/5

The kanji 腎 is complex and not used in many other common words, making it harder to recognize at first.

Escrita 5/5

Writing 腎 and 臓 from memory requires significant practice due to the high stroke count.

Expressão oral 2/5

The pronunciation 'jinzō' is relatively straightforward for English speakers.

Audição 3/5

Can be confused with 'kanzō' (liver) or 'shinzō' (heart) if listening in a noisy environment.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

体 (Body) 中 (Inside) 痛い (Painful) 病気 (Illness) 血 (Blood)

Aprenda a seguir

肝臓 (Liver) 心臓 (Heart) 肺 (Lungs) 胃 (Stomach) 腸 (Intestines)

Avançado

透析 (Dialysis) 濾過 (Filtration) 糸球体 (Glomerulus) 尿細管 (Renal tubule) 老廃物 (Waste products)

Gramática essencial

Noun + に負担をかける (Put a burden on...)

不規則な生活は腎臓に負担をかけます。

Noun + を患う (To suffer from an illness)

彼は若くして腎臓を患った。

Noun + の代わりをする (To act as a substitute for...)

人工透析が腎臓の代わりをする。

Noun + に良い/悪い (Good/Bad for...)

このサプリは腎臓に良い。

Noun + が原因で (Due to...)

腎臓結石が原因で入院した。

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Exemplos por nível

これは腎臓です。

This is a kidney.

Simple A is B structure.

腎臓はどこですか？

Where is the kidney?

Asking for location.

腎臓は二つあります。

There are two kidneys.

Using the counter for objects.

腎臓は体の中にあります。

The kidneys are inside the body.

Location particle 'ni'.

これは大切な腎臓です。

This is an important kidney.

Adjective modifying a noun.

腎臓の形は豆に似ています。

The shape of the kidney resembles a bean.

Comparing shapes.

腎臓を見ます。

I see the kidney.

Direct object with 'o'.

腎臓、覚えました！

I remembered (the word) kidney!

Past tense of a verb.

腎臓が少し痛いです。

My kidney hurts a little.

Describing physical sensation.

水を飲んで腎臓を元気にします。

I drink water to make my kidneys healthy.

Using 'te' form for sequence.

昨日の検査で腎臓を調べました。

In yesterday's exam, they checked my kidneys.

Past tense medical context.

腎臓は血をきれいにします。

The kidneys clean the blood.

Describing a function.

お父さんは腎臓が弱いです。

My father has weak kidneys.

Describing a condition with 'ga yowai'.

腎臓の病気は怖いです。

Kidney disease is scary.

Noun + no + Noun.

塩分は腎臓に良くないです。

Salt is not good for the kidneys.

Negative adjective form.

腎臓のために野菜を食べます。

I eat vegetables for the sake of my kidneys.

Using 'no tame ni' for purpose.

健康診断で腎臓の数値を指摘されました。

My kidney values were pointed out during the health checkup.

Passive voice 'shiteki sareta'.

腎臓の働きを助けるサプリメントを買いました。

I bought a supplement that helps kidney function.

Relative clause modifying a noun.

激しい運動の後は、腎臓に負担がかかります。

After intense exercise, a burden is placed on the kidneys.

Intransitive verb 'kakaru'.

腎臓移植のニュースをテレビで見ました。

I saw news about a kidney transplant on TV.

Compound noun 'jinzō ishoku'.

糖尿病は腎臓に悪影響を及ぼすことがあります。

Diabetes can have a negative effect on the kidneys.

Using 'koto ga aru' for possibility.

腎臓の専門医に相談することにしました。

I decided to consult with a kidney specialist.

Decision making 'koto ni shita'.

背中の痛みは、もしかしたら腎臓が原因かもしれません。

The back pain might possibly be caused by the kidneys.

Using 'kamoshiremasen' for conjecture.

腎臓は体内の水分バランスを調節しています。

The kidneys are regulating the fluid balance in the body.

Progressive form 'te iru'.

慢性腎臓病の患者数は年々増加しています。

The number of patients with chronic kidney disease is increasing year by year.

Formal statistical reporting.

腎臓の機能を維持するためには、適切な食生活が不可欠です。

To maintain kidney function, a proper diet is indispensable.

Using 'fukaketsu' for essentiality.

人工透析を受けている間、腎臓の代わりを機械が行います。

While undergoing dialysis, a machine performs the role of the kidneys.

Using 'aida' for duration.

この新薬は腎臓への副作用が少ないとされています。

This new drug is said to have few side effects on the kidneys.

Passive report 'to sarete iru'.

腎臓結石が原因で、激しい激痛に襲われました。

I was struck by intense pain caused by kidney stones.

Describing cause and effect.

ドナーが見つかり、ようやく腎臓移植が行われました。

A donor was found, and the kidney transplant was finally performed.

Adverb 'yōyaku' for long-awaited events.

腎臓は沈黙の臓器と呼ばれ、症状が出にくいのが特徴です。

The kidney is called a silent organ, characterized by symptoms being hard to appear.

Using 'tokuchō' for characteristics.

タンパク質の過剰摂取は腎臓に過度な負荷を与えます。

Excessive protein intake places an excessive load on the kidneys.

Formal vocabulary like 'kajo sesshu'.

腎臓の糸球体濾過量は、腎機能を評価する重要な指標です。

The glomerular filtration rate of the kidney is an important index for evaluating renal function.

Technical medical terminology.

再生医療の進歩により、将来的に腎臓を培養できる可能性があります。

With advances in regenerative medicine, there is a possibility of culturing kidneys in the future.

Discussing future scientific possibilities.

腎臓病の早期発見を目的とした啓発活動が全国で展開されています。

Awareness activities aimed at early detection of kidney disease are being rolled out nationwide.

Formal phrase 'o mokuteki to shita'.

加齢に伴い腎臓の予備能が低下するのは避けられない現象です。

The decline of renal reserve capacity with aging is an unavoidable phenomenon.

Using 'ni tomonai' for correlation.

腎臓移植における倫理的問題は、多角的な視点から議論されるべきです。

Ethical issues in kidney transplantation should be debated from multifaceted perspectives.

Using 'beki' for obligation.

漢方医学では、「腎」は単なる臓器以上の生命力の源と考えられています。

In Kampo medicine, 'Jin' is considered more than just an organ, but a source of life force.

Contrasting modern and traditional views.

腎不全が進行すると、体内の老廃物が排出できなくなり、生命の危機を招きます。

As kidney failure progresses, waste products can't be excreted, leading to a life-threatening crisis.

Complex cause-effect chain.

腎臓の構造は極めて緻密であり、その機能を完全に再現するのは困難です。

The structure of the kidney is extremely intricate, and completely reproducing its function is difficult.

Using 'kiwamete' for emphasis.

腎臓のホメオスタシス維持能力は、生命維持の根幹をなすメカニズムの一つである。

The kidney's ability to maintain homeostasis is one of the mechanisms forming the foundation of life maintenance.

Highly academic 'de aru' style.

臓器売買の闇市場において、腎臓は最も取引される臓器の一つという悲劇的な現実がある。

In the black market for organ trafficking, there is the tragic reality that kidneys are one of the most traded organs.

Discussing complex social issues.

腎臓病患者のQOL向上を目指し、ウェアラブルな人工腎臓の開発が急務となっている。

Aiming to improve the QOL of kidney disease patients, the development of wearable artificial kidneys has become an urgent task.

Using business/medical acronyms like QOL.

腎臓の線維化プロセスを阻害する分子標的薬の研究が、世界中で熾烈を極めている。

Research on molecular targeted drugs that inhibit the renal fibrosis process is becoming extremely fierce worldwide.

Using 'shiretsu o kiwameru' for extreme competition.

国民皆保険制度下における透析医療費の膨張は、日本の財政を圧迫する一因となっている。

The expansion of dialysis medical expenses under the universal health insurance system is one factor pressuring Japan's finances.

Socio-economic analysis.

腎臓におけるエリスロポエチンの産生は、赤血球の生成を制御する不可欠なプロセスである。

The production of erythropoietin in the kidneys is an essential process controlling red blood cell generation.

Advanced physiological terminology.

腎臓の微細構造から宇宙のフラクタル構造に至るまで、自然界の相似性は驚嘆に値する。

From the fine structure of the kidney to the fractal structures of the universe, the similarities in the natural world are worthy of wonder.

Philosophical/Scientific comparison.

腎臓の機能不全が全身の臓器ネットワークに及ぼすドミノ倒し的な影響を解明する必要がある。

It is necessary to elucidate the domino-like effect that kidney dysfunction has on the body's entire organ network.

Using metaphors in scientific context.

Sinônimos

腎泌尿器マメ内臓臓器腎臓器排泄器官腎系

Antônimos

人工腎臓外部器官消化器呼吸器

Colocações comuns

腎臓を患う

腎臓移植

腎臓結石

腎臓の数値

腎臓の働き

腎臓に負担をかける

人工腎臓

腎臓内科

腎臓の機能

腎臓を摘出する

Frases Comuns

腎臓を守る

— To protect one's kidneys through healthy habits.

健康のために腎臓を守りましょう。

腎臓に良い

— Something that is beneficial for kidney health.

このお茶は腎臓に良いと言われている。

腎臓が悪くなる

— One's kidney health deteriorating.

不摂生で腎臓が悪くなった。

腎臓が悲鳴を上げる

— Metaphorical: Kidneys being under extreme stress.

過度な飲酒で腎臓が悲鳴を上げている。

腎臓をケアする

— To take care of or maintain kidney health.

日頃から腎臓をケアすることが大切だ。

腎臓の検査

— A medical test specifically for the kidneys.

今日は病院で腎臓の検査がある。

腎臓を壊す

— To damage one's kidneys (often through drugs or bad habits).

薬の乱用で腎臓を壊してしまった。

腎臓のあたり

— The area around the kidneys (lower back/flank).

腎臓のあたりに違和感がある。

腎臓の機能低下

— Decline in kidney function.

加齢による腎臓の機能低下。

腎臓病患者

— A patient suffering from kidney disease.

腎臓病患者のための食事療法。

Frequentemente confundido com

腎臓 vs 肝臓 (Kanzō)

Liver. Very similar sound. Remember: K = Chemical factory (Liver), J = Juice/Filter (Kidney).

腎臓 vs 心臓 (Shinzō)

Heart. Also ends in -zō. Remember: Shin = Center/Soul (Heart).

腎臓 vs 人造 (Jinzō)

Man-made/Artificial. Homophone. Context is key (anatomy vs. technology).

Expressões idiomáticas

"腎臓を売る"

— To sell a kidney; often used metaphorically to describe extreme financial desperation or sacrifice.

借金を返すために腎臓を売るなんて、冗談じゃない。

Informal/Slang

"肝腎（かんじん）"

— Crucial, essential, vital. Derived from 'liver' and 'kidney' (though usually written as 肝心).

ここが一番肝腎な点です。

Neutral

"腎が据わる"

— Rarely used now, but historically meant to be composed or settled (similar to 腹が据わる).

彼は腎が据わった男だ。

Archaic

"腎を冷やす"

— To be chilled to the bone with fear (similar to 肝を冷やす).

あまりの恐怖に腎を冷やした。

Literary

"沈黙の臓器"

— The silent organ; refers to the kidneys (and liver) because they don't show symptoms until the disease is advanced.

腎臓は沈黙の臓器だから気をつけよう。

Neutral

"肝胆相照らす"

— To be very close friends (showing each other's liver and gallbladder/kidney).

彼らとは肝胆相照らす仲だ。

Literary

"腎臓に響く"

— To feel a deep, heavy impact (often used regarding loud bass music or a physical blow).

重低音が腎臓に響く。

Informal

"腎の気が尽きる"

— To lose one's vitality or life force (traditional medicine context).

老いにより腎の気が尽きてきた。

Traditional

"腎臓を差し出す"

— To offer a kidney (literally for transplant or metaphorically for a cause).

家族のために腎臓を差し出す覚悟だ。

Formal

"腎臓が笑う"

— A very rare, humorous expression meaning to have a strange sensation in the flank area.

くすぐったくて腎臓が笑いそうだ。

Playful

Fácil de confundir

腎臓 vs 肝臓

Phonetically similar and both are internal organs.

Kanzō is the liver (detox/metabolism), Jinzō is the kidney (filtration/urine).

肝臓はお酒、腎臓は塩分に注意。

腎臓 vs 心臓

Phonetically similar.

Shinzō is the heart (pumping blood).

心臓は胸にあり、腎臓は背中側にあります。

腎臓 vs 人造

Exactly the same pronunciation (Jinzō).

人造 means man-made (e.g., 人造人間 - android).

これは人造のダイヤモンドです。

腎臓 vs 膵臓

Another organ ending in -zō.

Suizō is the pancreas.

膵臓はインスリンを作ります。

腎臓 vs 脾臓

Another organ ending in -zō.

Hizō is the spleen.

脾臓は免疫に関係しています。

Padrões de frases

腎臓が[adjective]です。

腎臓が弱いです。

腎臓のために[verb]ようにしています。

腎臓のために水を飲むようにしています。

腎臓に[noun]をかけない。

腎臓に負担をかけない。

腎臓の[noun]が低下する。

腎臓の機能が低下する。

腎臓を[verb]手術を受ける。

腎臓を移植する手術を受ける。

腎臓の[noun]を評価する。

腎臓の予備能を評価する。

腎臓病の[noun]に努める。

腎臓病の早期発見に努める。

腎臓における[noun]のメカニズム。

腎臓における老廃物排出のメカニズム。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

腎不全 (Kidney failure)

腎炎 (Nephritis)

腎結石 (Kidney stones)

腎機能 (Kidney function)

Verbos

腎臓を患う (To suffer from a kidney ailment)

腎臓を移植する (To transplant a kidney)

Adjetivos

腎性の (Renal-related)

腎臓に良い (Good for the kidneys)

Relacionado

泌尿器 (Urinary organs)

膀胱 (Bladder)

尿 (Urine)

人工透析 (Dialysis)

内臓 (Internal organs)

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Como usar

frequency

Common in medical and health-related daily life in Japan.

Erros comuns

Saying 'shinzō' for kidney. → 腎臓 (jinzō)
Shinzō means heart. This is a very common phonetic slip-up.
Saying 'kanzō' for kidney. → 腎臓 (jinzō)
Kanzō means liver. Both are organs, but their functions are very different.
Using 'jinzō-tachi' to mean kidneys. → 腎臓 (jinzō)
Japanese doesn't use plural markers for organs.
Writing 腎 without the 月 at the bottom. → 腎
The 'meat' radical is essential for the meaning and correct kanji form.
Using 'jinzō' in a restaurant to order food. → マメ (mame)
In a culinary context, use the food term 'mame' instead of the anatomical term.

Dicas

The Gin-Zone

Remember: Gin (Jin) + Zone (Zō). Imagine a bottle of Gin being filtered in a special Zone.

The Meat Radical

Almost all internal organs in Japanese have the 月 (meat/body) radical. Look for it at the bottom of 腎 and the left of 臓.

Check your Report

If you are in Japan, look for 腎臓 on your next health checkup report to see your creatinine levels.

Liver vs Kidney

Kanzō (Liver) = Alcohol focus. Jinzō (Kidney) = Salt and Water focus. This helps in health conversations.

Silent Organ

Learn the phrase '沈黙の臓器' (Chinmoku no naizō). It refers to the kidney and helps you sound more native.

No Plurals

Don't try to say 'jinzōs.' Just 'jinzō' is enough for one or both kidneys.

Clear 'Ji'

Make sure your 'Ji' sound is distinct from 'Shi' (Heart) to avoid confusing your doctor!

Salt Awareness

In Japan, protecting the 腎臓 is synonymous with '減塩' (gen-en), or reducing salt.

Medical Dramas

Watch medical anime or dramas; 'jinzō' is a common plot point for emotional surgeries.

Prefix usage

Learn that 'Jin-' as a prefix usually means something medical related to the kidney.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine a 'Gin' (jin) bottle being poured into a 'Zone' (zō) that looks like a giant kidney bean. 'Gin-Zone' = Jinzō.

Associação visual

Visualize two large, red-brown beans sitting in the 'Zone' of your lower back.

Word Web

Filter Blood Urine Salt Dialysis Transplant Bean-shaped Lower back

Desafio

Try to find '腎臓' on a Japanese food label today (usually in the context of salt/sodium advice) and say the word out loud three times.

Origem da palavra

The word is composed of Sinitic roots (Kango). '腎' (Jin) is the specific character for the kidney, and '臓' (Zō) is the character for internal organs, added during the modernization of medical terminology in the Edo and Meiji periods.

Significado original: The character 腎 originally depicted the organ in ancient Chinese medical texts, emphasizing its role in essence (jing) and water regulation.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexto cultural

Avoid joking about 'selling a kidney' in formal or medical settings, as it can be seen as insensitive to those suffering from real kidney disease.

In English, we often use 'renal' for formal contexts, while Japanese uses 'jin-' as a prefix. English speakers might say 'I'm a donor,' but in Japan, people often carry a specific 'donor card.'

The manga 'Black Jack' by Osamu Tezuka often features kidney-related surgeries. The movie 'Ikiru' by Akira Kurosawa deals with terminal illness (though stomach cancer), reflecting the Japanese cinematic focus on internal organ health. NHK Health programs frequently have specials on 'Protecting your 腎臓.'

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At the Hospital

腎臓の検査をお願いします。
腎臓に持病はありますか？
腎臓の数値が正常です。
腎臓内科はどこですか？

Talking about Diet

塩分は腎臓に良くないよ。
腎臓のために水を飲みましょう。
タンパク質と腎臓の関係。
腎臓に優しい食事。

Reading a Health Report

腎臓機能検査 (Kidney function test)
判定：腎臓 (Result: Kidney)
要再検査 (Re-examination required)
異常なし (No abnormalities)

Watching News

腎臓移植のドナー不足。
新しい腎臓病の治療法。
人工腎臓の開発に成功。
腎臓病予防のキャンペーン。

Biology Class

腎臓の役割を説明しなさい。
腎臓で尿が作られます。
腎臓の構造をスケッチする。
血液は腎臓でろ過される。

Iniciadores de conversa

"健康診断で腎臓の数値はどうでしたか？ (How were your kidney values in the health checkup?)"

"腎臓に良い食べ物って何があるか知っていますか？ (Do you know what foods are good for the kidneys?)"

"最近、腎臓のあたりが痛むことはありませんか？ (Have you had any pain around your kidneys lately?)"

"腎臓移植についてのニュースを見ましたか？ (Did you see the news about kidney transplants?)"

"お酒を飲むとき、腎臓への負担を気にしますか？ (Do you worry about the burden on your kidneys when you drink?)"

Temas para diário

今日、腎臓の健康のために何をしたか書いてください。 (Write about what you did for your kidney health today.)

もし自分が腎臓病になったら、どのような生活の変化が必要だと思いますか？ (If you developed kidney disease, what lifestyle changes do you think would be necessary?)

日本とあなたの国の臓器移植（特に腎臓）に対する考え方の違いについて考えてみましょう。 (Think about the differences in views on organ donation (especially kidneys) between Japan and your country.)

「沈黙の臓器」としての腎臓の怖さについて自分の意見を書いてください。 (Write your opinion on the fear of the kidney as a 'silent organ.')

腎臓の機能を機械で代用する「透析」について、感じたことを書いてください。 (Write about your feelings regarding 'dialysis,' which replaces kidney function with a machine.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, in Japanese, context usually dictates whether you mean one or both. If you want to be specific, you can say 'ryō-jinzō' for both. For example, '腎臓が二つある' (There are two kidneys).

Focus on the 'moon' radical (月) at the bottom, which means body. The top part is specific to the kidney. Think of it as a complex filter system inside your body meat (月).

Usually, no. In a culinary context, kidney meat is called 'mame.' Using 'jinzō' might sound a bit too clinical or gross in a dining setting.

Yes, it is common in health-conscious Japan. You will see it in newspapers, on TV, and in every annual health checkup report.

腎臓 is the full noun for the organ. 腎 is the kanji used in compounds like 腎不全 (kidney failure) or 腎炎 (nephritis). It's like 'kidney' vs 'renal.'

Not really, except for the dark joke about 'selling a kidney' to pay off debts, which is understood but not polite.

Yes, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health issue in Japan, partly due to the aging population and dietary salt levels.

It is 'jinzō kesseki' (腎臓結石). It's a very common medical term.

It is 'jinkō tōseki' (人工透析) or just 'tōseki' (透析). It is closely associated with 腎臓.

They are described as being on the 'senaka-gawa' (back side) or 'koshi no atari' (around the waist/lower back).

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