機首|きしゅkishu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounnose (of plane)
   敵てきは機首きしゅを反転はんてんして我々われわれの方向ほうこうに向むけた。↗

   The enemy's plane suddenly turned toward us.

• Related船首せんしゅNeutralNeutral term for the bow of a boat; everyday speech also says 「へさき」. 機首 is reserved for the nose of a plane.
• Related艇首ていしゅWrittenWritten term for the bow of a small boat or submarine; used for small craft, while 機首 is for aircraft.
• Related艦首かんしゅWrittenWritten term for the bow of a warship specifically; used for warships, whereas 機首 refers to a plane's nose.
• RelatedバウNeutralNeutral loanword for a boat's bow; also the rower nearest the front in a racing boat. A rowing and sailing term.
• Related船首部WrittenWritten term for the bow section of a ship, seen mostly in technical documents; the ship counterpart of 機首.
• Antonym機尾きびWrittenWritten antonym: the tail of a plane, the opposite end from the nose covered by 機首.

Use 「機首」 for the nose of a plane, as in 「機首を上げる」. For boats use 「船首」 (everyday 「へさき」), 「艦首」 for warships, 「バウ」 in rowing or sailing; 「機尾」 is a plane's tail.

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

1. 飛行機ひこうきの機体きたいの頭部とうぶ。