ひも

Japanese

Alternative spelling
紐

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) ひも [hìmó] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [çimo̞]

Noun

ひも • (himo) ^{←ひも (fimo)?} (counter 本)

1. string

   紐(ひも)で縛(しば)る

   himo de shibaru

   to bind with string

2. pimp (man who financially relies on managing prostitutes)
3. freeloader (one who financially relies on another person)

   ヒモ生活(せいかつ)

   himo seikatsu

   living as a freeloader

Coordinate terms

• 糸(いと) (ito, “thread”)
• 縄(なわ) (nawa, “rope”)

Derived terms

• 靴(くつ)紐(ひも) (kutsuhimo)
• ヒモ男(おとこ) (himo otoko, “a husband financial dependent upon his wife”)