Translation guide
The English word 'thread' covers several distinct meanings: a thin strand used in sewing, a spiral ridge on a screw, a series of connected messages online, and a continuous line of thought or narrative. Each meaning has different natural Japanese equivalents.
A thin strand of cotton, silk, etc., used for sewing or weaving.
General word for thread, yarn, or string. Used for sewing, knitting, and weaving.
針と糸をください。
Please give me a needle and thread.
This thread breaks easily.
Specifically sewing thread. Used when clarity is needed.
I ran out of sewing thread.
The spiral ridge on a screw, bolt, or pipe fitting.
Literally 'screw mountain'. The most common term for the thread of a screw.
The screw thread got stripped.
Literally 'screw groove'. Refers to the groove between threads.
Dirt is stuck in the screw thread.
Loanword from English, used in technical contexts like computing or engineering.
A series of connected messages on a forum, social media, or messaging app.
The standard loanword for an online thread. Widely understood.
That thread has already been deleted.
Abbreviation of スレッド, very common in casual online contexts.
Loanword 'topic', often used for forum threads or discussion topics.
A continuous line of thought, narrative, or argument.
Literally 'story line/thread'. Used for the thread of a conversation or narrative.
I lost the thread of the conversation.
Means 'connection' or 'coherence'. Often used in '脈絡がない' (incoherent).
Means 'consistent flow'. Used for a continuous thread in an argument or narrative.
A very thin, string-like thing, such as a spider's thread or a thread of light.
Same as sewing thread, but also used for metaphorical or thin strands.
Spider's thread
A single thread of light
While 糸 means 'thread' in the physical sense, it is not used for online discussion threads. Use スレッド or スレ instead.
Incorrect for 'start a new thread'
スレッド is the direct loanword for 'thread' and is very common on Japanese forums. トピック is also used, especially on platforms that use the term 'topic' instead of 'thread'. Both are understood, but スレッド is more specific to the threaded format.
このボルトのスレッドは特殊だ。
The thread on this bolt is special.
Please start a new thread.
This thread is getting long.
関連するトピックを探す。
Search for related threads.
彼の話は脈絡がない。
His story has no thread (is incoherent).
The argument lacks a consistent thread.