- 針路 — course; route; path
- 磁針 — magnetic needle (compass)
- 方針 — policy; direction
- 時針 — hour hand
- 秒針 — second hand
- 分針 — minute hand
- 注射針 — injection needle
The kanji 針 combines 金 (metal) with 十 (cross/plus), representing a small, sharp metal object — a needle or pin. By extension it also points the way, as in a compass needle, and metaphorically sets “direction” in words like 方針 (policy).
針でボタンを縫いました。
I sewed the button with a needle.
方針を変える必要があります。
We need to change our policy.