How to Say ‘Cross’ in Japanese
十字架
juuji ka
[joo-jee kah]
💬 Usage Tip: [十字] means “cross shape” and [架] relates to a structure or frame. Together, [十字架] means “cross.”
🇯🇵 In Japan: Outside Christianity, Japanese people may first think of the shape itself, since [十字] is also used for cross-shaped things like intersections.
Phrase Breakdown
十字
juuji
[joo-jee]
cross-shaped; cross
The first part of 十字架; 十字 means a cross shape.
そのしるしは十字のかたちだ。
That sign is in the shape of a cross.
架
ka
[kah]
frame; rack
This character means a structure or frame; in 十字架 it forms the word cross.
きの架をつくる。
Make a wooden frame.
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