糸|いとito[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, noun (suffix)thread; yarn; string
    おばあちゃんは身みをかがめて糸いとの付ついた針はりを拾ひろった。↗
    My grandma stooped down and picked up a needle and thread.
Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym弦つるNeutralWhen read つる, 「弦」 means a bowstring, and also the strings of instruments or a pot's bail; 「糸」 is thread for weaving and sewing.
  • SynonymストリングCasualA colloquial loanword for the strings of a stringed instrument or for cord; heard mostly in music contexts, it does not refer to sewing thread.
  • Synonym絃げんWrittenIn formal prose, 「絃」 (read げん) usually means an instrument's strings, as in 「管絃」; 「糸」 is thread for weaving and sewing.
  • SynonymヤーンCasualA colloquial loanword for the yarn or wool used in knitting; typical of hand-knitting contexts.
  • RelatedひもNeutralA cord or band thicker than thread but thinner than rope, used for tying and fastening things, as in 「靴の紐」.
  • Related紡糸ぼうしWrittenA written, formal term for spinning or the thread produced by it; used mainly in the textile industry.

「糸」 is the default for weaving and sewing thread; 「線」 covers electric wires and straight lines, 「弦」 bow and instrument strings, 「紐」 cords for tying things, 「ヤーン」 knitting yarn, 「ストリング」 for music contexts, 「紡糸」 the textile industry.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 主おもに衣服いふくの材料ざいりょうとして用もちいる細ほそい線せん状じょうの繊維せんい。原義げんぎは絹糸けんしで後あとに織物おりものの材料ざいりょうとなる撚り糸よりいと全般ぜんぱんを言いうようになった。さらに、日本にっぽんにおいては広ひろく、縫い糸ぬいいとまでさすようになったが、中国ちゅうごくにおいてはこれらは線せん、綫 / 线といい、糸いととは言いわない。
  2. 糸いと状じょうのもの。
  3. 小数しょうすう。毛け(毫ごう)の十じゅう分ぶんの一いち。一万いちまん分ぶんの一いち。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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