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筋縄 (すじなわ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

筋すじ縄なわ

Meanings

1

noun

lineage; pedigree; ancestry

Refers to one's family line or descent. Somewhat formal or literary; in everyday speech, 家系 (かけい) or 血筋 (ちすじ) are more common.

彼かれは由ゆい緒しょある筋すじ縄なわの出しゅつだ。
He comes from a distinguished lineage.

Kanji

筋muscle, sinew, tendon
縄straw rope, cord

Similar words

家か系けい
家系 is the common word for family line or pedigree, used in everyday contexts. 筋縄 is more literary and less frequent.
血ち筋すじ
血筋 emphasizes bloodline or descent, often with a biological nuance. 筋縄 can carry a broader sense of ancestral line.

Etymology

Compound of 筋 (すじ, 'line, thread') and 縄 (なわ, 'rope'), metaphorically referring to a connected line of descent. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.