What does 糸 mean in Japanese?
糸 means “thread” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 糸 (thread), 毛糸 (wool yarn), and 糸口 (clue; beginning).
For learners, the key is to study 糸 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: シ (shi)
Kun’yomi: いと (ito)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 糸 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | thread, string |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
糸 is not limited to one English translation. In 糸 (いと), it means thread; in 毛糸 (けいと), it points to wool yarn; and in 糸口 (いとぐち), it is used for clue; beginning. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 糸（いと / ito） — thread
- 毛糸（けいと / keito） — wool yarn
- 糸口（いとぐち / itoguchi） — clue; beginning
- 絹糸（きぬいと / kinuito） — silk thread
- 糸電話（いとでんわ / itodenwa） — string telephone
- 糸車（いとぐるま / itoguruma） — spinning wheel
Example Sentences
-
赤い糸でボタンをつけました。
あかいいとでぼたんをつけました。 / Akai ito de botan o tsukemashita.
I sewed on a button with red thread.
-
毛糸で帽子を作ります。
けいとでぼうしをつくります。 / Keito de bōshi o tsukurimasu.
I will make a hat with wool yarn.
-
この話の糸口が見つかりました。
このはなしのいとぐちがみつかりました。 / Kono hanashi no itoguchi ga mitsukarimashita.
I found a clue to this story.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 糸 (いと / ito) because it keeps the core meaning of 糸 clear. Then add 毛糸 and 糸口 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 糸 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
糸 means “thread” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 糸, 毛糸, and 糸口.