針

• Reading: はり
• Romaji: hari
• Kanji breakdown: 針 (shin/hari) — needle, hand (clock)
• Pronunciation: /ha.ɾi/

Meaning

Needle; the hand of a clock or gauge. A thin, pointed instrument.

A noun with two main uses: a sewing or medical needle, and the hands of a clock. Key expressions: 時計の針 (tokei no hari, clock hands), 針を刺す (hari wo sasu, to prick with a needle), 方針 (houshin, policy — literally 'direction needle,' i.e. compass). Also used figuratively in proverbs like 針小棒大 (shinshouboudai, making a mountain out of a molehill).

Examples

1. 時計の針がちょうど十二時を指している。 The clock hands are pointing to exactly twelve o'clock.
2. ボタンが取れたので針と糸で縫い直した。 A button came off, so I sewed it back on with a needle and thread.
3. 注射の針が怖くて病院に行きたくない。 I'm scared of needles, so I don't want to go to the hospital.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, time, sewing, medical

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 針 combines 金 (metal) and 十 (ten), originally representing a small, pointed metal tool. The association with metal reflects the material from which needles were traditionally made.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal