thread, string
On'yomi (音読み)
- シ
- ス
Kun'yomi (訓読み)
- いと
About this kanji
The kanji 糸, pronounced いと in native Japanese and シ or ス in Chinese readings, primarily means "thread" or "string." It is used mostly as a noun. One common compound is 糸口 (いとぐち), which means the "start to a solution" or a hint to begin understanding something. Another is 絹糸 (きぬいと), meaning "silk thread," referring to a particular type of thread used in sewing. 糸電話 (いとでんわ), or "string phone," is a playful communication device using two cans connected by string. When using this kanji, remember that it often relates to anything thread-like or something that connects ideas or concepts.
Example sentences
この糸はとても細い。
This thread is very thin.
Meanings across languages
- English
- thread, string
- Tiếng Việt
- sợi, dây
- 日本語
- 糸, ス, シ
- 한국어
- 실
- 中文
- 线
- id
- benang
- th
- ด้าย
- es
- hilo
- fr
- fil
- de
- Faden
- pt
- fio
Common compounds
- 糸口いとぐちstart (to a solution), clue
- 絹糸きぬいとsilk thread
- 糸電話いとでんわstring phone
- 紛糸ふんしtwisted thread
Want to actually learn this kanji?
The dictionary is one view. The Kanji 360 app wraps every character with mnemonic images, audio readings, stroke-order animation, story context, and SRS scheduling — free to start on iPhone, iPad, and Android.