Japanese symbol for “spine”
背骨
せぼね
Romaji: sebone
spine; backbone; spinal column
In Japanese, spine is 背骨, read せぼね (sebone).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n spine; backbone; spinal column
Written forms: 背骨、脊骨、背ぼね. Readings: せぼね.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “spine”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 背筋 | せすじ sesuji | spine; line of the backbone |
| 刺 | とげ toge | thorn; spine; prickle |
| 脊椎 | せきつい sekitsui | spine; vertebral column; spinal column |
| 心臓 | しんぞう shinzou | guts; nerve; cheek |
| 脊柱 | せきちゅう sekichuu | spinal column; vertebral column; spine |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 背景 | はいけい haikei | background; scenery; backdrop |
| 背中 | せなか senaka | back (of the body) |
| 背後 | はいご haigo | back; rear |
| 背広 | せびろ sebiro | business suit |
| 背負う | せおう seou | to carry on one's back |
| 骨折 | こっせつ kossetsu | bone fracture |
| 露骨 | ろこつ rokotsu | open; unconcealed; undisguised |
| 鉄骨 | てっこつ tekkotsu | steel frame; steel beam; steel girder |
See also: Chinese symbol for “spine”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.