芯
shin[ɕĩɴ]
In Japanese, 'core' can be translated in several ways depending on the context. The default form is 芯 (shin). Wiktionary also lists 中心 (chūshin).
Meaning: center or inner part (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 芯 | shin | [ɕĩɴ] (narrow) |
| 中心 | chūshin | [t͡ɕɨːɕĩɴ] (narrow) |
The term 芯 refers to a physical or structural core, such as the core of a fruit, the core of a wire or the graphite lead inside a pencil. If you want to express the idea of a core in terms of the main point of an argument, you might use 要点. To describe the core as a main or primary part of something, you can use 主要部分.
Which one should you use?
Use 芯 when referring to the physical or structural core of an object, such as an apple core or a pencil lead. In contrast, use 中心 when you mean the center or core in an abstract or geometric sense, such as the center of a circle or the core of a concept and a central point of activity.
How do you pronounce it?
shin
Did you know?
- When talking about a person's mental strength or stability, Japanese people often use the phrase 芯が強い, meaning they have a 'strong core'.
- The word 中心 literally translates to 'heart in the middle', as the character 心 means 'heart' or 'mind'.
- The word 芯 can also refer to a wick in a candle, treating the burning part as the structural core.
Examples in context
- トムはりんごの芯をゴミ箱に捨てた。Tom threw the apple core into the garbage can.This sentence shows how to use 芯 when talking about an apple core.Tatoeba #2619713 by tommy_san, translation #1092731 by CK
- リンゴは皮をむき半分に切り、芯は取る。Peel the apples and cut them in half, cutting out the core.This sentence demonstrates how to use 芯 when describing the process of removing the core from an apple.Tatoeba #11607524 by small_snow, translation #10600141 by AlanF_US
- りんごは皮を剥き半分に切ります。芯は取り除きましょう。Peel the apples and slice them in half, cutting out the core.This sentence is another way to show how to use 芯 when removing the core of an apple.Tatoeba #11607523 by small_snow, translation #11639879 by ddnktr
- 私たちの会社の中核は技術革新です。The core of our company is technological innovation.
- 彼女は私の人生の中心だ。She is the core of my life.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about a pencil during a drawing class.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、鉛筆の芯が折れたよ。Hiroto-kun, enpitsu no shin ga oreta yo.Hiroto, the lead in your pencil broke.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。芯を削らなきゃいけないね。Hontou da. Shin o kezaranakya ikenai ne.You're right. I need to sharpen the lead.
- 結衣 Yuiここに削りがあるから使って。Koko ni kezuri ga aru kara tsukatte.There's a sharpener here, so use it.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。助かるよ、結衣さん。Arigatou. Tasukaru yo, Yui-san.Thanks. That helps, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “core” translations and entries 芯, 中心, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 中心, 芯, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
