針金
harigane[ha̠ɾʲiɡa̠ne̞]
The English word "wire" is translated into Japanese as 針金 (harigane).
針金 refers to thin, often bare metal wire used for crafts or structural purposes.
Meaning: metal conductor that carries electricity (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 針金 refers to thin, often bare metal wire used for crafts or structural purposes, 電線 is the specific term for insulated electrical wiring used in buildings and power lines.
How do you pronounce it?
harigane
Did you know?
- The word for 'needle' 針 shares the same root as the word for 'compass' 方位磁針, as both originally relied on a thin piece of metal to function.
- The word 針金 is composed of the characters for 'needle' and 'gold'.
- In the world of bonsai, 針金かけ is the specialized art of 'wiring' branches to shape a tree, a process that requires a specific gauge of aluminum or copper wire.
Examples in context
- 針金で作る盆栽Bonsai made from wireThis sentence shows how to describe a bonsai made using 針金.
- このかごは、針金でできている。This cage is made of wire.This sentence describes a cage that is made of 針金.Tatoeba #223909 by xtofu80, translation #61243 by CK
- 彼は鍵を忘れたが、針金を鍵穴に差し込むことで扉を開けることができた。Having forgotten his key, he was able to open the door by inserting a wire in the keyhole.This sentence illustrates using 針金 to open a door by inserting it into a keyhole.Tatoeba #934585 by thyc244, translation #934186 by AlanF_US
- 電線の配線は正しく行われましたか？Was the wiring of the electrical wires done correctly?
- このヘッドホンのワイヤーが絡まって困っています。The wire of this headphone is tangled, and it's troublesome.
- 今日はどんな針金の作品を作ろうかな？What kind of wire craft should we make today?
Example conversation
Hiroto is trying to fix a broken toy for Himari.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの針金で直せるかな？Kono harigane de naoseru kana?I wonder if I can fix this with this wire?
- 陽葵 Himari本当に大丈夫？Hontō ni daijōbu?Is it really going to be okay?
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫、針金があれば直せるよ。Daijōbu, harigane ga areba naoseru yo.It's okay, if I have wire, I can fix it.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔はすごいね！Hiroto wa sugoi ne!Hiroto, you are amazing!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 針金, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
