針
hari[ha̠ɾʲi]
The Japanese word for needle is 針 (hari).
針 is the standard Japanese word for a needle. While it is used for sewing needles, its meaning extends to other pointed or thin implements, such as the needles of a syringe or the hands of a clock.
Meaning: implement for sewing etc. (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
hari
Did you know?
- There is a common Japanese idiom 針のむしろ (a mat of needles) used to describe a situation where one feels extremely nervous or uncomfortable.
- The Japanese word for a pine needle is 松葉 (pine leaf) rather than 針, unlike English which uses 'needle'.
- In Japanese music, the term 針 is sometimes used to refer to the stylus of a record player.
Examples in context
- 彼女は針仕事が上手だ。She is handy with a needle.This sentence is useful for describing someone's skill with needlework using 針.Tatoeba #88470 by bunbuku, translation #315237 by CC
- 針に糸を通しておくれ。Please thread the needle for me.This sentence is useful for requesting that someone thread a needle using 針.Tatoeba #11264724 by small_snow, translation #10366556 by AlanF_US
- 針で親指を刺しちゃった。I pricked my thumb with a needle.This sentence is useful for describing an accident involving a needle using 針.Tatoeba #11496600 by bunbuku, translation #269858 by CK
- 彼女はミシン針を失くした。She lost her sewing needle.
- ちょっと針を借りてもいいかしら？May I borrow a needle for a moment?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are preparing for a sewing class.
- 健太 Kenta新しい針はどこにある？Atarashii hari wa doko ni aru?Where are the new needles?
- 陽葵 Himariあそこに箱に入っているよ。Asoko ni hako ni haitte iru yo.They are in that box over there.
- 健太 Kentaこの針は少し錆びているね。Kono hari wa sukoshi sabite iru ne.This needle is a little rusty.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、別のものを使おう。Ja, betsu no mono o tsukaou.Then, let's use a different one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “needle” translations and entries 針, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
