How to say "trunk" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

胴体どうたいCommon
nounThe anatomical trunk or torso, the body apart from the head and limbs. A somewhat technical or descriptive term, used in medical, biological, or formal descriptions of the human or animal body.
それは女性じょせいの頭あたま、ライオンの胴体どうたい、鳥とりの翼つばさとヘビの尾おを持もっていた。↗
It had the head of a woman, the body of a lion, the wings of a bird, and the tail of a serpent.
胴どうJLPT N1approx.Common
nounAlso the trunk or torso of the body, essentially a shorter form of 胴体. Common in everyday speech and in contexts like sports or martial arts, and it can additionally suggest the abdomen or middle of the body.
ダックスフントは、非常ひじょうに長ながい胴どうと短みじかい足あしをしたドイツ犬けんである。↗
A dachshund is a dog from Germany with a very long body and short legs.
トランクCommon
nounThis is the luggage sense: a large storage chest or suitcase, or the trunk of a car. It never refers to the torso, so for the body part this is not the word you want.
２階かいからトランクを降おろしてきてくれませんか。↗
Can you bring down my trunk from upstairs?
体からだJLPT N5approx.Common
nounIts basic meaning is 'body', but among its glosses are 'torso' and 'trunk'. In practice it is understood as the whole body first, so for specifically the trunk, 胴体 or 胴 is usually the clearer choice.

For the body sense use 胴体 or 胴 (胴 is the shorter, more casual form); 体 can also mean torso; use 「トランク」 only for luggage or a car's trunk.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

Say it right, write it right