Translation guide
The English word "backbone" has both literal and figurative meanings. This guide covers how to express the anatomical spine, the central support of a system, and the quality of courage or strength of character in Japanese.
Referring to the physical spinal column of a human or animal.
The most common and general word for the spine or backbone. Used in everyday conversation and medical contexts.
猫の背骨を触るとゴツゴツしている。
When you touch a cat's backbone, it feels bumpy.
背骨を痛めてしまった。
I hurt my backbone.
A more technical or medical term for the spine. Often used in compound words.
脊椎動物には背骨がある。
Vertebrates have a backbone.
Anatomical term for the spinal column, used in medical contexts.
脊柱の弯曲を調べる。
Examine the curvature of the backbone.
Referring to the most important part of a system, organization, or infrastructure that provides stability.
Literally 'framework of a stand', figuratively means the backbone or mainstay of an organization, economy, etc. Very common for this meaning.
中小企業は日本経済の屋台骨だ。
Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the Japanese economy.
彼は会社の屋台骨を支えている。
He supports the backbone of the company.
Can also be used figuratively to mean the backbone of a system, similar to English.
Means foundation or basis, often used for infrastructure or systems. Less vivid than 'backbone' but conveys the idea of essential support.
Referring to the quality of having strong principles, determination, or moral firmness.
Means strength of character, moral backbone, fortitude. Often used in phrases like 気骨がある (to have backbone).
彼は気骨のある政治家だ。
He is a politician with backbone.
もっと気骨を持って発言すべきだ。
You should speak up with more backbone.
Literally 'the logic/line runs through', meaning someone has integrity, consistency, and stands by their principles. Describes a person with backbone.
彼の意見は筋が通っている。
His opinions have backbone (are consistent and principled).
Means guts, willpower, fighting spirit. Often used for perseverance rather than moral backbone, but can overlap.
Means courage, nerve, pluck. A bit old-fashioned or literary.
While 背骨 can be used figuratively for 'central support', it is not used for 'courage'. For that meaning, use 気骨 or other expressions. Saying 背骨がある for a person's character would be interpreted as 'has a spine' in the anatomical sense, not the figurative one.
屋台骨 emphasizes the structural framework of an organization or system, while 大黒柱 emphasizes a central person who supports a group. Use 屋台骨 for systems, economies, etc., and 大黒柱 for a key person in a family or team.
Literally 'central pillar', used for a person who is the main support of a family or organization. Implies a strong, reliable central figure.
父は家族の大黒柱だ。
My father is the backbone of our family.
This road is the backbone of the region's transportation.
The internet is the backbone of modern society.
彼は根性がある。
He has backbone (guts).
胆力を試される場面だった。
It was a situation that tested one's backbone.