How to say "staple" in Japanese

• 芯しんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers the metal fastener: the staples used in a stapler, as when the stapler runs out of them. The word's basic sense is a core — wick, marrow, pencil lead — and the staples fit that image.
  シャーペンの芯しん２・３本ぽんもらえるかな。↗

  Could you lend me a few mechanical pencil leads?
• 定番ていばんCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'staple' as a standard, reliable item — a go-to choice or classic, such as a wardrobe or menu staple. It frames the thing as the established, usual option people keep coming back to.
  若わかい男女だんじょが人里ひとざと離はなれた洋館ようかんで恐怖きょうふの一夜いちやを過すごすという、ホラーの定番ていばんスタイルだ。↗

  This is a horror staple - young men and women spend a night of terror in an isolated house.
• 米こめJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThis is literally 'rice'. It corresponds to 'staple' for a staple food or product, but it really just names rice, so it is the word you want only when the staple is rice itself.

For the metal fastener use 芯; for a reliable, standard item or go-to choice use 定番; for the staple-food sense, 米 is literally 'rice', so it fits when the staple is rice itself.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 芯しんwick
• 定番ていばんstandard item
• ステープルstaple
• ホッチキス芯ホッチキスしんstaple (for a stapler)
• また釘またくぎstaple
• 合折れ釘あいおれくぎL-shaped nail
• 米こめstaple (product, etc.)
• 針はりstaple (for a stapler)
• 止めるとめるto fix (in place)