Nihoner

拳けん

けん · kobushi

noun

Fist

  • hand game (e.g. rock-paper-scissors)

Other ways to say “fist” in Japanese →

けんが
Atamadaka

high first, then falls · what is pitch accent?

Test yourself

How it’s used

Mostly literal, for clenched hands in fights or gestures, or for the 'rock' in rock-paper-scissors; 拳 is the kanji, but everyday writing usually uses こぶし.

Not to be confused with 拳銃 (kenjuu, handgun), where 拳 is read ken.

Example sentences

He clenched his fist in anger.

Nihoner

I threw rock in rock-paper-scissors.

Nihoner

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Questions

What does 拳 mean?

Fist. It can also mean: hand game (e.g. rock-paper-scissors).

How do you pronounce 拳?

けん (kobushi). Pitch accent: atamadaka — high first, then falls. Press Listen above to hear it.

How do I remember 拳?

Say it out loud with an example sentence, test yourself above, then save it to your deck: Nihoner brings it back just before you would forget it (spaced repetition).

Fist