Traditional Japanese unit of length, about 3.03 cm. Still used in some contexts like carpentry, sewing, and idiomatic expressions.
This board is one sun thick.
Refers to length or measurement in a general sense, often used in set phrases or when talking about dimensions.
Please measure the dimensions.
shortness; tininess
Used figuratively to indicate a very small amount or shortness, often in negative expressions like 寸が足りない (to be a little short).
See also: 寸が足りない (すんがたりない)
This board is three sun thick.
I missed the train by a hair's breadth.
The trousers are a bit too short in the leg.
寸 is a small traditional unit of length (about 3.03 cm), while 尺 is a much larger traditional unit (about 30.3 cm, equal to ten 寸), so learners often mix up which one is meant.
寸 is a traditional unit of length (about 3 cm) or a component in compounds, whereas 寸法 is the full word meaning dimensions or a planned arrangement.
just before; on the verge of; on the brink of · just in front of; just ahead of
dimensions; measurements; size · plan; arrangement; intended course
one sun (approx. 3 cm) · a little bit; a short time; a short distance
short play; skit
cut to pieces; tear to shreds; shred
taking measurements; measuring
actual size; full size
actual size; exact size
tiny bit; the slightest amount
Standard kanji spelling for the traditional unit of length and related figurative uses.
The kanji 寸 originally depicted a hand with a mark indicating the pulse point, later used as a unit of length. The reading すん is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.
brief review; short comment
five-sun nail; long nail; spike
three sun (approx. 9.1 cm) · something small, short, or thin (roughly three sun in size) · stall-keeper; huckster; hawker · lowest-rank prostitute
eight sun; approx. 24 cm · eight-sun dish; kaiseki tray; food on such a dish · thick traditional Japanese paper
inside dimensions; internal dimensions
external dimensions; outer size
small loan; borrowing a small amount
moment; instant; brief time
an inch of land; a tiny piece of land
an inch of ground; a tiny piece of land
length; measure · short length
small present; token of appreciation; with compliments