noun
rib; rib cage
Abbreviation of 肋骨 (rokkotsu). Used in everyday speech and informal writing, often in compounds like あばら骨 (abarabone).
See also: 肋骨
転んであばらを打った。
I fell and hit my ribs.
痩せてあばらが浮き出ている。
He's so thin his ribs are showing.
More formal and anatomically precise term for 'rib' or 'rib cage'. 肋 is a colloquial abbreviation.
Abbreviation of 肋骨 (rokkotsu). The reading あばら is of uncertain origin, possibly related to 荒 (ara, 'rough') or an ancient word for 'bone'.