針（はり、hari）
- needle

The Japanese word 針 (はり) primarily translates to "needle" in English, but it can also refer to other sharp, pointed objects or things. It's a versatile word with several meanings depending on the context. 針 signifies something that is thin, sharp, and often used for piercing or sewing. It can also describe the pointer or hand on a clock or gauge.

⚫︎裁縫針 Translation: Sewing needle ⚫︎時計の針 Translation: Clock hand ⚫︎温度計の針 Translation: Thermometer needle/pointer

You use 針 when you're talking about a physical needle for sewing, a medical needle for injections, the hand of a clock, or even a needle-like object on an instrument panel. The specific meaning is usually clear from the context of the sentence. You can use it in everyday conversation, when describing tasks or instruments.

The word 針 is most commonly written with the kanji 針. The reading in hiragana is はり. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana is standard, with no variations.

While there aren't direct synonyms for all of 針's meanings, here are some related words: ⚫︎ 縫い針 (nui-bari) - sewing needle ⚫︎ 注射針 (chuusha-bari) - injection needle ⚫︎ ポインター (pointā) - pointer (for a gauge) ⚫︎ 矢 (ya) - arrow

There aren't specific antonyms, but you could consider blunt or dull objects opposite of 針.

母は古いミシンの針で布を縫いました。 ・Translation: My mother sewed the cloth with the needle of an old sewing machine. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 針 to refer to the needle used for sewing.

時計の針は３時を指していました。 ・Translation: The clock hand was pointing at 3 o'clock. ・Explanation: In this case, 針 refers to the hand of a clock, showing the time.

The etymology of 針 isn't definitively known, but it's likely of native Japanese origin. It's been used for a long time in the Japanese language, evolving with the tools and concepts it represents. The kanji 針, meaning "needle" or "pin", is a combination of the radical meaning metal and a component related to a pointing direction.