一筋

• Reading: ひとすじ
• Romaji: hitosuji
• Kanji breakdown: 一 (hito) — one; 筋 (suji) — line, thread, sinew
• Pronunciation: /hi.to.sɯ.dʑi/

Meaning

One line; one strand; one beam; a single thin, elongated stretch of something.

A noun used as a counter-like expression for thin, elongated things — a ray of light, a strand of hair, a streak of tears, or a stretch of road. Carries a poetic, literary quality and is common in descriptive writing. Also used figuratively in expressions like 一筋縄ではいかない (not straightforward) and 一筋に (single-mindedly).

Examples

1. 雲の間から一筋の光が差し込んだ。 A single ray of light filtered through a gap in the clouds.
2. 彼女の頬を涙が一筋流れた。 A single tear streamed down her cheek.
3. 暗闇の中に一筋の希望を見つけた。 In the darkness, I found a single thread of hope.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, poetry, descriptions, figurative speech

Tone: poetic

Origin & History

From native Japanese 一 (hito, one) + 筋 (suji, line/thread/sinew). Originally described a single thread or line, expanding to cover any thin, elongated object and later to figurative senses like devotion or hope.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal