How to Say ‘Shoulders and neck.’ in Japanese
肩と首。
kata to kubi
[kah-tah toh koo-bee]
💬 Usage Tip: [肩] is “shoulder” and [首] is “neck.” Short noun answers like this are perfectly natural in conversation.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Neck and shoulder stiffness is extremely common in Japan, especially from desk work. You are not alone!
Phrase Breakdown
肩
kata
[kah-tah]
shoulder
The shoulder area. Common in massage and stiffness conversations.
肩がこっています。
My shoulders are stiff.
と
to
[toh]
and
Connects two nouns, like shoulder and neck.
肩と首がつらいです。
My shoulders and neck are painful.
首
kubi
[koo-bee]
neck
The neck. Another very common area to mention at a massage place.
首が痛いです。
My neck hurts.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager