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羅針 (らしん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

羅ら針しん

ら

し

ん

Meanings

1

noun

compass needle

Refers specifically to the magnetic needle of a compass. Often appears in compounds like 羅針盤 (compass).

羅ら針しん盤ばんの羅ら針しんが北きたを指さしている。
The compass needle is pointing north.
船ふな乗のりは羅ら針しんを見みて方ほう角がくを確たしかめた。
The sailor checked the direction by looking at the compass needle.

Kanji

羅gauze, thin silk, Rome
針needle, pin, staple

Similar words

羅ら針しん盤ばん
羅針盤 is the whole compass instrument, while 羅針 refers specifically to the needle.
方ほう位い磁じ針しん
方位磁針 is a more technical term for a magnetic compass needle, often used in science contexts.

Etymology

Compound of 羅 (gauze, net, or an abbreviation of 羅針盤) and 針 (needle). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the compass needle.