Japanese word

引き金

Pronunciation

Romajihikigane

Meaning

  • nountrigger

Example

銃の引き金を引きます。jū no hi ki gane o hi ki ma su

I pull the trigger.

Illustration for 引き金 (trigger)

More examples

射撃場では、合図があるまで引き金に指をかけません。sha geki jō de wa ai zu ga a ru ma de hi ki gane ni yubi o ka ke ma se n

At the shooting range, I do not put my finger on the trigger until I receive a signal.

Core concept

Describes the point that is pulled to start a mechanism and, by extension, anything that sets an event in motion.

Common phrases

  • 引き金を引くhi ki gane o hi ku

    pull the trigger

  • 引き金に指をかけるhi ki gane ni yubi o ka ke ru

    put one's finger on the trigger

Similar words

きっかけkikkake: An event or circumstance that causes a process or action to begin.
契機keiki: An event or situation that provides a reason to begin a new action or change.
誘因yūin: A factor that helps bring about a particular event or condition.

Definition in Japanese

銃を発射するために引く部分。また、物事を引き起こすきっかけ。jū o has sha su ru ta me ni hi ku bu bun ma ta mono goto o hi ki o ko su ki kka ke

Word origin

The compound 引き金 (hikigane, "trigger") combines 引き (hiki, "pulling") and 金 (kane, "metal"), referring to the metal part pulled to fire a gun.

Usage tips

  • The figurative use of 引き金 (hikigane) often highlights a sudden turning point, while the situation leading up to it may have developed over a longer period.

Other meanings

  • causenoun

Word lists with this word