Translation and Meaning of: 編む - amu

If you've ever wondered how to say "to knit" in Japanese, the answer lies in the verb 編む (あむ - amu). This word, in addition to representing a common manual activity, carries with it a fascinating history, from its kanji writing to its use in everyday Japanese. In this article, we will explore the etymology, the pictogram, and how this word is applied in daily sentences. Here at Suki Nihongo, you will also find practical examples to include in your Anki or other spaced repetition systems.

Many Japanese students get confused with the writing of 編む, especially because of the "thread" radical present in the kanji. Does this have anything to do with knitting? And how do the Japanese use this word beyond its literal meaning? Let's uncover all of this, including memorization tips and even a curious pun that can help you never forget.

The origin and writing of the kanji 編む

The kanji 編 is composed of the radical 糸 (ito - thread) and 扁 (hen - something flat and wide). This combination is not by chance: it reflects the idea of "organizing threads in an orderly manner," just like what happens in knitting. The presence of the thread radical makes perfect sense, as knitting involves manipulating lines or yarns to create fabrics.

Interestingly, this same kanji is used in other words related to "compiling" or "editing," such as 編集 (henshuu - text editing). That's because, at its core, all these actions involve organizing elements into a coherent structure - whether they are threads, words, or information. Had you noticed this connection before?

How do the Japanese use 編む in their daily lives?

In addition to the main meaning of "to knit," 編む can appear in broader contexts. For example, the Japanese use this word to refer to braiding hair (髪を編む) or even weaving bamboo baskets. It is a versatile verb that encompasses any manual activity involving intertwining flexible materials.

A common expression is セーターを編む (seetaa o amu) - "to knit a sweater". If you visit craft stores in Japan, you will hear this phrase often. And here's a tip: pay attention to the particle を, which marks the direct object. Many beginners make mistakes using に due to the influence of English ("knit a sweater"), but in Japanese, it is always セーターを編む.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

To not forget the kanji, imagine someone knitting with threads (糸) while organizing the needles flat (扁). This mental image helps to fix both the meaning and the writing. Another technique is to associate the sound "amu" with "to tie," since knitting involves tying threads in a certain way.

Did you know there is a famous pun with this word? "編む" sounds like "亜夢" (amu), a feminine name that means "secondary dream." Some yarn shops play with this in slogans like "亜夢を編もう" (let's knit dreams). A clever marketing move that shows how the Japanese language loves these word games!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 編み込む (amikomu) - Braid, weave in layers.
• 編み上げる (amiageru) - Complete the mesh, finish the weaving.
• 編み出す (amidasu) - Develop a new weaving technique.
• 編み物する (amimono suru) - Doing knitting work.
• 編み織る (amioru) - Weaving intertwining threads.
• 編み物 (amimono) - Knitting, a weaving work.
• 編み込み (amikomi) - Braid, a technique for intertwining strands.

編む

Romaji: amu
Kana: あむ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: knit

Meaning in English: to knit

Definition: Creation of patterns combining threads and fine objects.

Example Sentences - (編む) amu

See below some example sentences:

網を編む

Ami wo amu

weave a network

Knit a network

• 網 (あみ) - net, mesh
• を - object particle
• 編む (あむ) - weave, knit

私は毛糸でセーターを編むのが好きです。

Watashi wa keito de seetaa o amu no ga suki desu

I like to knit sweaters with wool.

I like to knit a sweater with wool.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - Topic particle
• 毛糸 - noun "wool"
• で - Instrument particle
• セーター - noun "sweater"
• を - direct object particle
• 編む - verb "to knit"
• の - substantivization particle
• が - subject particle
• 好き - adjective "like"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

毛糸で手袋を編みました。

Keito de tebukuro wo amimashita

I knit mittens from wool yarn.

I knit mittens from wool.

• 毛糸 - Wool thread
• で - particle that indicates the means or instrument used
• 手袋 - gloves
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 編みました - verb "háeru", meaning "to knit", in the affirmative past tense

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.