Meaning

Primary

Clenched Fist

Alternative

Knuckles

Word Type

noun, verbal noun

Explanation

A fist that's like a bone (hard) is a fist that's clenched and ready to punch, making this a clenched fist or knuckles, if you want to get even bonier about it.

Reading

げんこつ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. But doesn't use the one you learned, it uses げん instead. Just imagine someone clenching their fist at you. You gulp and say げん instead of けん out of fear.

Context

Context Sentences

父は、僕に拳骨を食らわせるふりをしました。

My dad pretended to hit me with his fists clenched.

Kanji Composition