指針(ししん)

ししん
noun
guideline, guiding principle; pointer, needle
1. guideline, guiding principle, policy direction
A principle or set of directions that guides decision-making or action. Commonly used in official, business, and policy contexts.
政府(せいふ)が新(あたら)しい指針(ししん)を発表(はっぴょう)した。
The government announced new guidelines.
この計画(けいかく)が今後(こんご)の指針(ししん)になる。
This plan will serve as a guideline going forward.
厚生(こうせい)労働省(ろうどうしょう)は感染(かんせん)予防(よぼう)に関(かん)する指針(ししん)を改定(かいてい)した。
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revised its guidelines on infection prevention.
2. pointer, needle (of a compass or gauge)
The physical needle or pointer of a measuring instrument such as a compass or dial.
コンパスの指針(ししん)が北(きた)を指(さ)している。
The compass needle is pointing north.
計器(けいき)の指針(ししん)が大(おお)きく振(ふ)れた。
The gauge's needle swung wildly.
気圧計(きあつけい)の指針(ししん)が下(さ)がっているので、天気(てんき)が崩(くず)れるかもしれない。
The barometer's needle is dropping, so the weather may worsen.

USAGE:
Sense 1 (guideline) is far more common in modern usage. The word literally means "pointing needle" — a metaphor from the compass needle that shows direction. In official contexts, 指針(ししん) is often interchangeable with ガイドライン but sounds more formal and authoritative.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 指針(ししん)を示(しめ)す: to present guidelines
  • 指針(ししん)に基(もと)づく: to be based on guidelines
  • 行動(こうどう)指針(ししん): code of conduct, behavioral guidelines

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ガイドライン: guideline (loanword, more casual)
  • 方針(ほうしん): policy, course of action (broader, more about overall direction)
general
Added 2026.2.22 21:43
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