骨子|こっしkosshi[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounmain point; gist; essentials; bones (e.g. of an idea); pith

• Synonym趣旨しゅしNeutralFormal word for the purport or intent behind something, as in 「会の趣旨」; it stresses purpose and aim, where 「骨子」 is the skeleton key points of a plan.
• Synonym要点ようてんNeutralThe everyday word for key points, as in 「要点をまとめる」; it centers on the important parts of the content, while 「骨子」 is the skeleton points of a plan.
• Synonym要旨ようしNeutralThe gist of a piece of writing, as in 「論文の要旨」; it condenses the whole text, while 「骨子」 lays out the framework points of a plan.
• Synonym核心かくしんNeutralThe core or crux of a matter, as in 「問題の核心」; it points to the heart or essence of a problem rather than a plan's outline points.
• SynonymかなめNeutralA key person or part that everything hinges on, as in 「チームの要」; it stresses the pivot role, not the outline points of a plan.
• Synonym眼目がんもくWrittenWritten word for the main point of focus, as in 「改革の眼目」; it stresses the chief aim or object rather than a plan's framework.
• SynonymエッセンスNeutralLoanword for the essence or extract of something, as in 「エッセンスを凝縮」; it suggests the concentrated essence, not the skeleton points of a plan.
• SynonymポイントNeutralEveryday loanword for the point, as in 「ポイントを押さえる」; it is the common choice in speech, while 「骨子」 suits formal plans and documents.
• Synonym要領ようりょうNeutralCovers the knack or know-how for doing things, as in 「要領よく」; it leans toward method and technique rather than the gist of a text.
• Synonym主意しゅいWrittenWritten word for the central meaning of a text; rare in modern Japanese, where the same idea is usually written 「主旨」.
• Synonym要義ようぎWrittenWritten word for a thing's most important meaning or gist; fits laws, systems and doctrines, while 「骨子」 covers the skeleton points of plans and documents.
• Synonym趣意しゅいFormalFormal word for the purport or intent of something; close in sense to 「趣旨」 and leaning toward written use.
• Related中核ちゅうかくNeutralWritten word for the core part of something, as in 「中核企業」; it centers on the nucleus of an organization rather than a document's key points.
• Related本質ほんしつNeutralThe true nature or essence of a thing, as in 「本質を見抜く」; it concerns inherent qualities, not the outline points of a plan.
• Antonym細部さいぶNeutralThe fine details; the opposite of 「骨子」, which gives only the outline points of a plan.
• Antonym枝葉えだはNeutralWritten word for branches and leaves — minor, nonessential details; the counterpart of 「骨子」 as the trunk of a plan.

Use 「骨子」 for the skeleton key points of a bill or plan, as in 「改正案の骨子」 or 「骨子をまとめる」. For the intent behind something, say 「趣旨」; for the key points of the content itself, 「要点」 is the everyday choice. 「細部」 and 「枝葉」 are the opposites — the details and trimmings, not the framework.

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

1. 骨ほね。
2. 要点ようてん。眼目がんもく。中心ちゅうしん。