waist

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 腰 is read こし, has 13 strokes, and relates to the waist and lower back or hip area.
• Basic usage: 腰 is read こし, and 中腰 is read ちゅうごし.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 腰 and 中腰
  • 腰 means lower back or hips.
  • 重い箱を持ち上げて腰を痛めた。 means “I hurt my back lifting the heavy box.”
  • 中腰 means half-crouched posture or bent posture.
  • 中腰で重い箱を持ち上げようとした。 means “I tried to lift the heavy box from a half-crouched position.”