鎖
[kɯ̟̊sa̠ɾʲi]
The Japanese word for "chains" is 鎖.
鎖 refers to a series of connected metal rings used for fastening or securing things.
How do you pronounce it?
The standard reading for this word is kusari.
Did you know?
- The reading 'jō' for 鎖 is believed to have evolved from an earlier sound 'sau' and was later influenced by the word 錠, which means 'padlock'.
- The word 鎖 can be read as 'kusari' or 'jō'. While 'kusari' is common for physical chains, 'jō' is often used in technical compounds and formal terms.
- In modern Japanese, the word 鎖 is rarely used on its own and is primarily found as a component in much longer compound words.
Examples in context
- プロレタリアートには、鉄鎖以外に失うものはない。The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains.Tatoeba #2961985 by odango_daisuki, translation #2961913 by gleki
- 太い鎖でドアを固定した。Futoi kusari de doa o kotei shita.I secured the door with a thick chain.
- 錆びた鎖が地面に落ちている。Sabita kusari ga jimen ni ochite iru.A rusty chain is lying on the ground.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are looking at an old gate.
- 美咲 Misaki見て、門に古い鎖がついているよ。Mite, mon ni furui kusari ga tsuite iru yo.Look, there is an old chain on the gate.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。かなり錆びているね。Hontou da. Kanari sabite iru ne.You're right. It's quite rusted.
- 美咲 Misakiこの鎖はもう切れるかもしれない。Kono kusari wa mou kireru kamo shirenai.This chain might break already.
- 蓮 Ren無理に引っ張らないほうがいいよ。Muri ni hipparanai hou ga ii yo.We probably shouldn't pull it too hard.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 鎖, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 鎖, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
