Japanese word

縞

Pronunciation

Romajishima

Meaning

  • nounstripe

Example

この魚には白い縞があります。ko no sakana ni wa shiro i shima ga a ri ma su

This fish has white stripes.

Illustration for 縞 (stripe)

More examples

このシャツは細い縞が特徴です。ko no sha tsu wa hoso i shima ga toku chō de su

This shirt is known for its thin stripes.

Core concept

Describes a distinct band that stands out from the surrounding surface and may extend in a continuous line.

Common phrases

  • 縞があるshima ga a ru

    have stripes

  • 縞が目立つshima ga me da tsu

    stripes stand out

  • 縞の幅shima no haba

    stripe width

Similar words

縞模様shimamoyō: A repeated design formed by bands of different colors or textures.
筋suji: A narrow, extended mark that can appear on an object, animal, or surface.

Definition in Japanese

表面に現れる、周囲と色や質感の異なる細長い帯状の模様。hyō men ni arawa re ru shū i to iro ya shitsu kan no koto na ru hoso naga i obi jō no mo yō

Word origin

縞 (shima, "stripe pattern") is a native Japanese noun, and its older word origin is uncertain; 縞 is the established kanji spelling for this meaning.

Usage tips

  • The noun 縞 (shima) can describe woven designs, animal markings, and bands on objects, so it focuses on the visible pattern rather than the material carrying it.

Other meanings

  • barnoun
  • streaknoun

Word lists with this word