ピン

• Reading: ピン
• Romaji: pin
• Pronunciation: /piɴ/

Meaning

Pin; a small, pointed fastening device used for holding things in place.

A loanword from English 'pin' covering various types of pins. Common compounds: ヘアピン (heapin, hairpin), 安全ピン (anzenpin, safety pin), ピン留め (pindome, pinning/bookmarking). Also used in the expression ピンとくる (pin to kuru, to click/suddenly understand). ピンからキリまで (pin kara kiri made) means 'the whole range, from best to worst.'

Examples

1. 書類をピンで壁に留めた。 I pinned the document to the wall with a pin.
2. ヘアピンで前髪をきれいに止めた。 I neatly pinned my bangs back with a hairpin.
3. その説明を聞いてやっとピンときた。 After hearing that explanation, it finally clicked.

Usage Guide

Context: office, daily life, fashion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'pin,' derived from Old English pinn (peg/bolt). Adopted into Japanese as a general term for pointed fasteners.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal