Kanji 巾 towel, hanging scroll, width Related words 布ふ 巾きん 布巾 specifically means a dishcloth or wiping cloth, while 巾 is a more general term for a piece of cloth or napkin.
ナプキン ナプキン is a loanword from English 'napkin' and is more common in modern Japanese for table napkins, whereas 巾 is a native Japanese word that can also refer to cloths in general.
Word family· 13 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
Show 8 more Show fewer 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
Written forms 巾きん Usage 58%
Standard kanji spelling for this word.
きん Usage 42%
Kana spelling is sometimes used, especially in informal contexts or when the kanji is not well known.
Etymology 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.
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