Translation guide
A small thin piece of metal with a point, used for fastening things or as a fastener. Also a verb meaning to attach or hold something in place.
The learner wants to refer to a physical pin, such as a sewing pin, safety pin, or pushpin.
The most common and general word for 'pin' in Japanese, borrowed from English. Used for many types of pins, including hairpins, safety pins, and pushpins.
Please fasten it with a pin.
Specifically a sewing pin used to hold fabric in place before sewing.
A thumbtack or pushpin, used for attaching paper to a bulletin board.
The learner wants to refer to a decorative pin worn on clothing.
The learner wants to express the action of pinning something.
The most direct way to say 'to pin' using the noun ピン and the verb 留める (to fasten).
The learner wants to express pinning someone down physically or metaphorically.
The learner wants to express pinning something on someone, like blame or a crime.
While ピン is widely understood, specific types of pins have their own words (e.g., 安全ピン for safety pin, 画鋲 for thumbtack). Using the specific word is more natural in many contexts.
留める (tomeru) focuses on fastening, while 刺す (sasu) focuses on the piercing action. Use 留める when the result is attaching, and 刺す when emphasizing the insertion.
She pinned the flower to her dress.
Stick a pin into the cloth.
A safety pin, the kind with a clasp.
Fasten with a safety pin.
Pin the poster to the wall with a thumbtack.
A pin badge, often used for promotional or identification purposes.
Put a pin badge on one's chest.
A brooch, a decorative jewelry pin.
She was wearing a beautiful brooch.
Pin the photo.
A general verb meaning 'to fasten' or 'to attach'. Can be used without specifying the tool if context is clear.
Pin the fabric.
Means 'to pierce' or 'to stick into'. Used when emphasizing the action of inserting a pin into something.
Stick a pin in.
Means to pin down or hold down by force. Can be used physically or metaphorically.
I pinned him to the floor.
A more general verb meaning 'to hold down' or 'to restrain'.
Hold the paper down so it doesn't blow away.
Specifically means to pin someone down in a fight or wrestling context.
Pin the opponent down.
Literally 'to make someone wear a crime', meaning to pin a crime on someone or frame them.
They tried to pin the crime on him.
Means to make someone bear responsibility, to pin the responsibility on someone.
They pinned the blame for the failure on him.
stick a pin in
He pinned the poster on the wall.
The wrestler pinned his opponent.