幹|みきmiki[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nountree trunk; bole
2. nounbackbone; base; foundation

• Synonym樹幹じゅかんWrittenWritten/formal botanical term for a tree trunk. In everyday speech 「幹」 is used, and 「幹」 also figuratively denotes the core of things.
• Related柱はしらNeutralA physical pillar or post, also figuratively a person who supports others. 「幹」 is a tree trunk, used figuratively for the core of something.
• Related中枢ちゅうすうWrittenWritten/formal word for a central, pivotal body or core, e.g. of an organization. 「幹」 figuratively denotes the mainstay of things.
• RelatedかなめNeutralOriginally the pivot of a folding fan; figuratively the key point or crucial person, as in 「チームの要」. 「幹」 suggests the mainstay of things.
• Related基幹きかんWrittenWritten/formal word for a foundational core or backbone, as in 「基幹産業」. 「幹」 literally means a tree trunk.
• Related支柱しちゅうNeutralA prop or physical support, also figuratively a spiritual mainstay. 「幹」 figuratively refers to the core of things.
• Related大黒柱だいこくばしらNeutralFiguratively the breadwinner or mainstay of a family or organization, as in 「一家の大黒柱」. 「幹」 suggests the core of things.
• Related屋台骨やたいぼねNeutralThe framework of a building; figuratively the support of a family or organization. 「幹」 figuratively denotes the core of things.
• RelatedバックボーンNeutralLoanword for emotional or spiritual backbone, also the backbone of a network. 「幹」 stays closer to its literal plant sense.
• RelatedキーストーンNeutralLoanword originally meaning the keystone of an arch; in baseball, the shortstop and second baseman duo. Only loosely related to 「幹」.
• Related柱石ちゅうせきWrittenWritten/formal word figuratively for a pillar of the nation, as in 「国家の柱石」. 「幹」 literally means a tree trunk.
• Related要石かなめいしNeutralThe stone set at the center of an arch to hold it together; figuratively a crucial person. 「幹」 figuratively refers to the core of things.
• Related主柱しゅちゅうNeutralThe central or principal pillar of a building or organization. 「幹」 is a tree trunk, used figuratively for the core of things.
• Antonym枝えだNeutralAntonym: a branch that splits off from the trunk, standing opposite to 「幹」 in the trunk-versus-branch relationship.

Use 「幹」 for a tree trunk and, figuratively, for the core or mainstay of something. For the breadwinner of a family say 「大黒柱」; for physical or figurative supports use 「柱」 or 「支柱」; for the crucial point or person use 「要」; for core industries use 「基幹」. The opposite of the trunk is 「枝」, a branch.

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

1. （みき）木本きもと植物しょくぶつの土つちから伸のびて枝えだなどにつながる太ふとい部分ぶぶん。
2. （みき）物事ものごとの中心ちゅうしんとなる部分ぶぶん。