Japanese symbol for “needle”
針
はり
Romaji: hari
needle; pin
In Japanese, needle is 針, read はり (hari).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n needle; pin
- n hook
- n stinger; thorn
- n hand (e.g. clock, etc.); pointer
- n staple (for a stapler)
- n needlework; sewing
Written forms: 針、鉤、鈎. Readings: はり.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “needle”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 葉 | は ha | leaf; blade (of grass); (pine) needle |
| 指針 | ししん shishin | needle (compass, gauge, etc.); hand (clock); indicator |
| 葉っぱ | はっぱ happa | leaf; blade (of grass); (pine) needle |
| 鍼 | はり hari | (acupuncture) needle |
| ニードル | ニードル niidoru | needle |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 方針 | ほうしん houshin | policy; course; plan (of action) |
| 指針 | ししん shishin | needle (compass, gauge, etc.); hand (clock); indicator |
| 針金 | はりがね harigane | wire |
| 羅針盤 | らしんばん rashinban | compass |
| 釣り針 | つりばり tsuribari | fish hook |
| 針路 | しんろ shinro | course; direction |
See also: Chinese symbol for “needle”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.