chest

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 胸 is read むね, has 10 strokes, and appears in words for the chest, heart, or courage.
• Basic usage: 胸 is read むね, and 度胸 is read どきょう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 胸 and 度胸
  • 胸 means chest or heart.
  • 坂を上り終えると、胸が大きく上下しました。 means “My chest heaved after climbing the entire hill.”
  • 度胸 means nerve or courage.
  • 大勢の前で意見を述べるには度胸が要る。 means “It takes courage to state your opinion before a large audience.”