Refers to a piece of cloth used for wiping or covering, such as a napkin or small towel. Often used in compound words like 巾着 (きんちゃく, drawstring pouch) or 布巾 (ふきん, dishcloth).
I spread a cloth on the table before setting out the dishes.
Please wipe the dishes with a dishcloth.
cloth headgear; hood; kerchief; cap · tokin (yamabushi headgear)
cleaning cloth; dust cloth; rag
tokin; small black cap worn by yamabushi
dish towel; tea towel; dishcloth
triangular bandage; sling · triangular kerchief; bandana
drawstring purse; money pouch · fried tofu pouch (in oden) · hanger-on; follower; flunky · unlicensed prostitute (Edo period)
hand towel; towel · handkerchief
tea cloth; tea napkin
unbleached muslin; calico
dirty worn-out rag
skirting board; baseboard
bouffant cloth cap
okoso-zukin; full-head kerchief worn by women in winter
Standard kanji spelling for this word.
Kana spelling is sometimes used, especially in informal contexts or when the kanji is not well known.
The kanji 巾 is a pictograph of a piece of cloth, and the reading きん is the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading). The word is used in various compounds related to cloth items.