needle

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is しん, and the kun reading is はり. It has 10 strokes. It appears in words for needles and policies that set a course of action.
• Basic usage: 針 is read はり, and 方針 is read ほうしん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 針 / 方針
  • 針 means needle or hand and is read はり. It refers to a slender pointed object such as a sewing needle or clock hand.
  • 縫い針に白い糸を通した。 means “I threaded a sewing needle with white thread.”
  • 方針 means policy or course of action and is read ほうしん. It refers to a policy or course of action followed by an organization or in treatment.
  • 会社は環境を重視する方針を示した。 means “The company presented a policy emphasizing the environment.”