Translation guide
A hairpin is a small, usually U-shaped object used to hold hair in place. In Japanese, the most common word is ヘアピン, a loanword from English. There are also traditional Japanese hairpins called かんざし, which are more ornamental. This guide covers how to refer to hairpins in different contexts.
Referring to a standard, simple hairpin used to secure hair.
The most common and neutral word for a hairpin, borrowed from English. Used for the typical U-shaped metal or plastic pins.
I dropped a hairpin.
This hairpin is bent.
A shorter, more casual term for hairpin, often used in compound words or when the context is clear. Can also refer to other types of pins.
Referring to a decorative, often long, hairpin used in traditional Japanese hairstyles.
A traditional Japanese hair ornament, often worn with kimono. It can be a single prong or two-pronged, and is usually decorative.
Referring to a flat, springy hairpin used to hold hair tightly.
In Japanese, ヘアピン can also refer to bobby pins, though sometimes distinguished by context.
Referring to a sharp bend in a road resembling a hairpin.
ヘアピン refers to modern, simple hairpins, while かんざし refers to traditional, often decorative hairpins worn with kimono. Using かんざし for a bobby pin would sound odd.
A hairpin goes well with a yukata.
If you are talking about a simple metal hairpin, use ヘアピン. かんざし implies a traditional, often valuable ornament.
I secure my hair with a pin.
She is wearing a beautiful hairpin.
I got this hairpin from my grandmother.
The kanji for かんざし. Used in written Japanese or formal contexts.
They are exhibiting a collection of hairpins.
I pinned my bangs back with a bobby pin.
A specific term for bobby pins, literally 'American pin'. Less common than ヘアピン.
I'm going to buy some bobby pins.
The standard term for a hairpin turn, a loanword from English.
There are many hairpin turns on the mountain road.
A Japanese term for a winding road with many sharp turns, often used for mountain paths.
We climb the winding road.