Translation guide
The string of a bow, used in archery or musical instruments. In Japanese, the word depends on the type of bow.
The string of a bow used for shooting arrows, such as in kyudo (Japanese archery) or Western archery.
General term for bowstring in archery. Used in both traditional Japanese archery (kyudo) and Western archery.
String the bow.
The bowstring snapped.
Specifically a bowstring for a Japanese bow (yumi). More traditional or literary feel.
The sound of the bowstring resonates.
The string of a bowed instrument like a violin, cello, or erhu, played with a bow.
General term for strings on musical instruments. For bowed instruments, context makes it clear it's the string being bowed.
Replace the violin string.
Draw the bow across the string.
Figurative uses, such as tension, readiness, or something stretched tight.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'as taut as a bowstring', describing a tense atmosphere or a person's nerves.
A tension as taut as a bowstring.
Both are written as 弦. つる is used for archery bowstrings, while げん is used for musical instrument strings. Context usually makes the reading clear, but when speaking, use the correct reading to avoid confusion.
In kyudo, the bowstring is handled with care.
One of the cello strings broke.