Meaning
The kanji 針 (はり, hari) primarily means 'needle' or 'pin'. This meaning extends to various slender and pointed objects: the hands of a clock or watch, a compass needle, a barb, or even a thorn. More broadly, when part of compounds like 指針 (ししん, shishin), it can refer to a 'pointer' or 'guideline'.
The origin of 針 reveals its structure. It is a 形声文字 (けいせいもじ, keisei moji), a phono-semantic compound character. The left part, 金 (かね, kane), acts as the radical, signifying 'metal'. This makes sense, as needles and pins are typically metallic.
The right part, 咸 (かん, kan), serves as the phonetic component. It provides the 'shin' sound, which is one of the kanji's On'yomi readings. While primarily phonetic, 咸 also carries associations with 'all' or 'salty/sharp', subtly hinting at a needle's sharp or piercing nature.
Visually, 針 combines the robustness and material of metal with the concept of something sharp and pointed. The 金 radical firmly links its meaning to metallic objects. The character's overall form suggests a tool specifically designed for piercing or indicating. It consists of 10 strokes and is taught in the 6th grade in Japanese schools, making it a common kanji to recognize, particularly for those studying at the JLPT N2 level.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 針 is シン (SHIN). This reading typically appears in compound words, where it often lends a more abstract or technical meaning related to the core concept of a 'needle' or 'pointer'.
- 指針 (shishin) — guideline, manual, compass needle. This compound literally combines 'finger' (指) with 'needle' (針) to suggest something that points the way or offers direction. For example, 学習の指針 (gakushuu no shishin) means 'study guideline'.
- 方針 (houshin) — policy, course, plan. Here, 方 (ほう, hou) means 'direction' or 'method'. Thus, 方針 refers to the direction to take or a policy to follow. For instance, 会社の方針 (kaisha no houshin) means 'company policy'.
- 針路 (shinro) — course, direction (of a ship or plane). This compound literally means 'needle path', indicating the path shown by a compass needle. An example is 船の針路を決める (fune no shinro wo kimeru), which means 'to decide the ship's course'.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The most common Kun'yomi reading for 針 is はり (hari). This reading applies when the kanji refers directly to a physical needle or a similar pointed object, or when it stands alone as a noun.
- 縫い針 (nuibari) — sewing needle. This is the common term for a needle used in sewing. For example, you might say, 縫い針が折れた (nuibari ga oreta), meaning 'the sewing needle broke'.
- 注射針 (chuushabari) — injection needle. This term specifically denotes medical needles used for injections. For example, 看護師が注射針を準備した (kangoshi ga chuushabari wo junbi shita) means 'the nurse prepared the injection needle'.
- 釣り針 (tsuribari) — fishhook. In the context of fishing, はり transforms into ばり due to 連濁 (rendaku). An example is 釣り針に餌を付ける (tsuribari ni esa wo tsukeru), meaning 'to put bait on the fishhook'.
- 時計の針 (tokei no hari) — hands of a clock. This phrase specifically refers to the pointers on a clock face. For instance, 時計の針が進む (tokei no hari ga susumu) means 'the hands of the clock advance'.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 針 appears in numerous practical and metaphorical contexts. The following common words and compounds are categorized by theme to illustrate its versatile usage.
Tools and Objects
- 針金 (harigane) — wire. This term literally combines 'needle' (針) with 'metal' (金) to describe 'wire', a long, thin piece of metal.
- 縫い針 (nuibari) — sewing needle. The most direct usage for a sewing tool.
- 画鋲 (gabyou) — thumbtack, drawing pin. This compound combines 'picture' (画) with 'pin' (鋲), which itself contains 針 as a component.
- 注射針 (chuushabari) — injection needle. A crucial medical tool.
- 釣り針 (tsuribari) — fishhook. Essential for fishing.
Direction and Measurement
- 指針 (shishin) — guideline, compass needle. A principle or directive that guides action.
- 方針 (houshin) — policy, course of action. A defined strategy or approach.
- 針路 (shinro) — course, direction (for navigation). The path a vessel or aircraft follows.
- 時計の針 (tokei no hari) — hands of a clock. The components that indicate time.
- 方位磁針 (houijishin) — compass. The instrument featuring a needle that points north.
Nature and Biology
- 松の針 (matsu no hari) — pine needle. The sharp, slender leaves of a pine tree.
- 針葉樹 (shin'youju) — coniferous tree. Trees characterized by needle-like leaves.
- 蜂の針 (hachi no hari) — bee's sting. The pointed organ a bee uses for defense.
Example Sentences
この針で服を縫います。
Kono hari de fuku wo nuimasu.
I will sew clothes with this needle.
時計の針が速く動いています。
Tokei no hari ga hayaku ugoiteimasu.
The hands of the clock are moving fast.
新しい指針に従って作業を進めてください。
Atarashii shishin ni shitagatte sagyou wo susumete kudasai.
Please proceed with the work according to the new guidelines.
道に迷ったら、方位磁針の針を見て確認します。
Michi ni mayottara, houijishin no hari wo mite kakunin shimasu.
If you get lost, look at the compass needle to confirm your direction.
看護師は痛くないように細い注射針を使いました。
Kangoshi wa itakunai you ni hosoi chuushabari wo tsukaimashita.
The nurse used a thin injection needle so it wouldn't hurt.
会社の方針は常に顧客満足を最優先することです。
Kaisha no houshin wa tsune ni kokyaku manzoku wo saiyuusen suru koto desu.
The company's policy is always to prioritize customer satisfaction.
冬の山には松の針が雪に覆われていました。
Fuyu no yama ni wa matsu no hari ga yuki ni oowarete imashita.
In the winter mountains, pine needles were covered in snow.
彼は釣り針に新しい餌を付け、魚が釣れるのを待ちました。
Kare wa tsuribari ni atarashii esa wo tsuke, sakana ga tsureru no wo machimashita.
He put new bait on the fishhook and waited for a fish to bite.
船長は嵐の中でも正しい針路を保ちました。
Senchou wa arashi no naka demo tadashii shinro wo tamochimashita.
The captain maintained the correct course even in the storm.
古い地図には針で刺したような穴がありました。
Furui chizu ni wa hari de sashita you na ana ga arimashita.
The old map had holes as if pricked by a needle.
Memory Tip
To remember 針 (hari), focus on its radical 金 (かね, kane), meaning 'metal'. Picture a gleaming gold needle or a sharp metal pin used for sewing.
The right part of the kanji, though primarily phonetic, also evokes a sense of 'sharpness' or 'penetration'. Therefore, visualize a 'metal' (金) object that is inherently 'sharp', much like a needle.
Another approach is to picture a compass needle. It's typically made of metal and points directly, serving as a clear 'guideline' for direction. The 10 strokes are easy to recall by observing the distinct, structured components of the metal radical and the additional elements that create the needle's pointed tip.