Translation guide
The body part between the neck and upper arm, and related actions and metaphors.
肩
shoulder (body part)
Referring to the shoulder as a physical body part.
The standard word for shoulder.
肩が凝っています。
My shoulders are stiff.
彼は肩をすくめた。
He shrugged his shoulders.
Taking on a duty, blame, or emotional weight.
Literally 'to carry on one's shoulders', used for bearing responsibility or a heavy burden.
彼は会社の将来を肩に担っている。
He carries the future of the company on his shoulders.
To take over someone's burden or responsibility, often financial.
父の借金を肩代わりした。
I took on my father's debt.
Pushing, brushing past, or using the shoulder to move.
To push with one's shoulder, often through a crowd.
人混みを肩で押して進んだ。
I pushed through the crowd with my shoulder.
To stand shoulder to shoulder; to be on par with someone.
彼は一流選手と肩を並べる実力だ。
He has the ability to rank with top athletes.
The side or edge of a road, or a ridge on a mountain.
The part of a garment covering the shoulder.
Used for the shoulder part of clothing.
このジャケットは肩がきつい。
This jacket is tight in the shoulders.
Many English idioms with 'shoulder' do not use 肩 in Japanese. For example, 'cold shoulder' is 冷たい態度 (つめたいたいど), not 冷たい肩.
Feeling ashamed or uncomfortable due to a sense of inferiority or guilt.
こんな格好では肩身が狭い。
I feel embarrassed looking like this.