Translation and Meaning of: 編物 - amimono

If you have ever wondered about the origin of the Japanese word 編物 (あみもの), which means "knitting" or "fabric," this article will unravel everything from its etymology to curiosities about its everyday use. Here, you will not only find the meaning and correct writing but also tips for memorizing the kanji and practical examples of how this word appears in real contexts. And if you are studying Japanese, take the opportunity to add the sentences from this text to your Anki or another spaced repetition system — it will be very helpful!

The origin and etymology of 編物

The word 編物 (あみもの) is composed of two kanjis: 編, which means "to knit" or "to organize," and 物, which indicates "thing" or "object." Together, they form the concept of something that is woven or intertwined, like a piece of clothing made by hand. Interestingly, the related verb 編む (あむ) — "to knit" — is the root of this construction, highlighting how the Japanese language often derives nouns from actions.

The kanji 編 alone carries an interesting history. Its radical 糸 (thread) reveals its direct connection to activities involving lines or fabrics. It's no wonder that the same character appears in words like 編集 (へんしゅう) — "edit" — which metaphorically refers to "organizing threads" of information. Do you see how Japanese etymology often links the concrete to the abstract?

Everyday use and cultural curiosities

In Japan, あみもの is not limited to just needles and yarns. The word can describe any manual work that involves interlacing materials, from crochet to fishing nets. In craft stores, it's common to see sections dedicated to 編み物材料 (knitting materials), showcasing how relevant this practice still is in local culture. By the way, did you know that many Japanese grandmothers keep the habit of knitting sweaters for their grandchildren during winter?

An interesting fact: some young people use あみもの as slang to describe "tangled" situations. For example, saying "この問題、あみものみたい" (This problem looks like a knit) implies that the situation is complicated and full of knots. It's not exactly the original meaning, but it shows how language evolves creatively!

Tips for memorization and writing

To remember the kanji 編, notice its "skeleton": the radical 糸 (thread) on the left and the component 扁 on the right, which provides the pronunciation. One effective technique is to associate the image of someone weaving threads carefully — after all, that’s exactly what the character represents. As for the stroke order, always start with the radical on the left and then complete the rest, paying attention to the order of the strokes.

If you like flashcards, try creating a card with the image of a sweater next to the word あみもの. Our brain remembers better when associating concepts with concrete images. Another tip? Practice writing sentences like "祖母は編物が得意です" (My grandmother is good at knitting) — that way, you reinforce the vocabulary in a real context.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 編み物 (Amimono) - Knitting or crochet; knitted work or fabrics made by hand.

編物

Romaji: amimono
Kana: あみもの
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: knitting; web

Meaning in English: knitting;web

Definition: Knitting: Items and techniques made in knitting with yarns or yarn leftovers.

Example Sentences - (編物) amimono

See below some example sentences:

編物は手作りのアイテムです。

Hemmotsu wa tezukuri no aitemu desu

Knitting is an artisanal item.

• 編物 - Japanese word meaning "knitting".
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is "編物" (knitting).
• 手作り - a Japanese word meaning "handmade".
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that "アイテム" (item) is possessed by "手作り" (handmade).
• アイテム - Japanese word meaning "item".
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates that the sentence is an affirmation.