Japanese word

ひも

Pronunciation

Romajihimo

Meaning

  • nounstring

Example

このひもは長いです。ko no hi mo wa naga i de su

This string is long.

Illustration for ひも (string)

More examples

荷物をひもでしっかり結びます。ni motsu o hi mo de shi kka ri musu bi ma su

I tie the luggage securely with a string.

Core concept

A slender flexible material links or holds things together when it is tied.

Common phrases

  • ひもを結ぶhi mo o musu bu

    tie a string

  • ひもをほどくhi mo o ho do ku

    untie a string

Similar words

縄nawa: A thick, twisted length of material used for tying, pulling, or marking a boundary.
ロープrōpu: A thick, strong cord used to tie, pull, or secure objects.

Definition in Japanese

糸や繊維などを細長くまとめ、物を結んだりつないだりするもの。ito ya sen i na do o hoso naga ku ma to me mono o musu n da ri tsu na i da ri su ru mo no

Word origin

The origin of the native noun ひも (himo) is not firmly established, while its usual kanji 紐 (himo, "cord") uses 糸 (ito, "thread") to show the material-related meaning.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses ひも (himo) for familiar items such as shoelaces and bag drawstrings, making the word useful when talking about clothes and bags.

Other meanings

  • cordnoun

Word lists with this word