Translation guide
The English word "knot" covers several distinct concepts: a fastening made by tying, a tangle, a unit of speed, a hard mass in wood, and more. Japanese uses different words for each.
A knot made by tying a piece of string, rope, shoelace, etc.
General word for a knot in a string, rope, etc. Can be used for most tied knots.
The knot in my shoelace came undone.
Also means 'knot', but often used in compound words or more abstractly (e.g., 'tie', 'connection').
Technical term for knot-tying, used in sailing, climbing, etc.
Learn knot-tying techniques.
A tangled mass, especially in hair, string, etc.
Refers to a tangle or snarl, especially in hair, thread, or relationships.
A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour.
The katakana loanword for 'knot' as a unit of speed. Used in maritime and aviation contexts.
A hard cross-grained piece in wood where a branch grew.
Refers to a knot in wood, a node in bamboo, or a joint in a finger. Also used metaphorically for a 'knob' or 'protuberance'.
A tight, constricted feeling in the body due to anxiety, fear, etc.
Literally 'a feeling of the stomach being tightened'. Common expression for a knot in the stomach.
A small group of people or things close together.
Means a group, cluster, or knot of people/animals. Often used for a small crowd.
The bond of marriage; to tie the knot.
Literally 'the bonds of marriage'. Used figuratively for the marriage knot.
結び目 implies an intentionally tied knot. For accidental tangles (hair, thread), use もつれ or 絡まり.
結び目 is a deliberate knot; もつれ is an accidental tangle. Using 結び目 for tangled hair would sound like you tied your hair in knots on purpose.
There's a knot in my shoelace.
Please make a tight knot.
This way of tying a knot is difficult.
I comb out the knots in my hair.
The thread got tangled/knotty.
Similar to もつれ, but often implies something is caught or entwined.
I untangle the knot in the fishing line.
The ship is moving at 20 knots.
This board has a lot of knots.
I felt a knot in my stomach from nervousness.
Literally 'a feeling of the throat being blocked'. Used for a lump/knot in the throat when emotional.
I felt a knot in my throat from sadness.
There was a knot of people in front of the station.
A group, party, or knot of people, often moving together.
A knot of tourists passed by.
The two were tied in the knot of marriage.
To tie the knot (of marriage/fate). A common phrase for forming a marital bond.
They tied the knot last month.
My hair is full of knots.
The ship was doing 15 knots.