絹
kinu[kʲinɯ̟]
The Japanese word for silk is 絹 (kinu). Wiktionary also lists 絹布 (kenpu) and 絹地 (kinuji).
Meaning: fabric (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 絹 | kinu | [kʲinɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 絹布 | kenpu | |
| 絹地 | kinuji | [kʲinɯ̟ʑi] (narrow) |
The word refers to the material silk. Depending on whether you are discussing the substance itself, a specific piece of cloth or the technical texture of the material, different forms may be used.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 絹地 is composed of 絹 (silk) and 地 (ground, surface or fabric), literally meaning 'silk ground'.
Which one should you use?
While 絹 refers to the material itself, 絹布 specifically refers to silk in the form of a piece of cloth or fabric. 絹地 is used when focusing on the specific type of fabric or the texture of the silk material.
How do you pronounce it?
kinu
Did you know?
- In Japanese literature, silk is often used as a symbol of the ephemeral nature of beauty or the fragility of human connections.
- While 絹 is the standard word, the term 正絹 (shōken) is used specifically to certify that a garment is made of 100% pure silk.
- The word 絹 appears in the names of several traditional Japanese weaving techniques, such as Nishijin-ori, which specialize in high-grade silk.
Examples in context
- 絹は高価なんだよ。Silk is expensive.This sentence is useful for noting the cost of silk.Tatoeba #12108166 by bunbuku, translation #7895857 by Hybrid
- 絹は手触りが柔らかい。Silk feels soft.This sentence is useful for describing the soft feel of silk.Tatoeba #175205 by small_snow, translation #239261 by CM
- そのドレスは絹製です。The dress is of silk.This sentence is useful for identifying what a dress is made of.Tatoeba #212868 by KK_kaku_, translation #50153 by csabus
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are browsing in a boutique.
- 蓮 Renこの絹のネクタイはどうですか？Kono kinu no nekutai wa dō desu ka?How about this silk tie?
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さん、それはとても素敵ですね。Ren-san, sore wa totemo suteki desu ne.Ren, that is very lovely.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さんには、もっと明るい色が似合いますよ。Misaki-san ni wa, motto akarui iro ga niaimasu yo.Misaki, a brighter color would suit you better.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、その絹のストールを選びます。Jā, sono kinu no sutōru o erabimasu.Then, I will choose that silk stole.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silk” translations and entries 絹, 絹地, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
