1.
thong strap; sandal strap
The V-shaped fabric or leather strap on traditional Japanese footwear such as geta (wooden clogs) and zori (flat sandals) that passes between the big toe and second toe to hold the foot in place.
鼻緒が切れた。
The thong strap broke.
赤い鼻緒の下駄を買った。
I bought a pair of geta with red thong straps.
鼻緒が足に当たって痛いので、新しいのに替えたい。
The thong strap rubs against my foot and hurts, so I want to replace it with a new one.
USAGE:
鼻緒 refers specifically to the strap found on traditional Japanese sandals (草履, 下駄). The strap passes between the toes and is often made of fabric.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 鼻緒が切れる (the strap breaks)
- 鼻緒をすげる (to attach/replace a thong strap)
- 鼻緒がゆるい (the strap is loose)
CULTURAL NOTE:
A broken 鼻緒 was traditionally considered a bad omen in Japanese culture, particularly when leaving home.