サインペン

さいんぺん
noun
felt-tip pen; marker pen
tool
1. felt-tip pen; marker pen; fiber-tip pen
A pen with a felt or fiber tip, used for writing, drawing, or signing. Originally a brand name by Pentel, it became the generic Japanese word for this type of pen.
サインペンで名前(なまえ)を書(か)く。
Write your name with a felt-tip pen.
赤(あか)いサインペンで丸(まる)をつける。
Mark it with a circle using a red felt-tip pen.
子(こ)どもがサインペンで壁(かべ)に絵(え)を描(か)いてしまった。
The child drew pictures on the wall with a felt-tip pen.

A wasei-eigo blend of "sign" + "pen." Originally a registered trademark of Pentel Corporation (1963), it became the generic term in Japanese for felt-tip pens.

Usage

サインペン is the everyday word for a fine- to medium-tip felt pen in Japan. It is distinct from a 油性(ゆせい)マーカー (permanent marker) in that サインペン typically refers to water-based felt-tip pens. The name comes from the pen being marketed as ideal for signing documents.

Common collocations

  • 水性(すいせい)サインペン: water-based felt-tip pen
  • 油性(ゆせい)サインペン: oil-based felt-tip pen
  • サインペンで書(か)く: to write with a felt-tip pen
  • 細字(ほそじ)サインペン: fine-point felt-tip pen

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: マーカー (marker)
Compare: 蛍光(けいこう)ペン (highlighter)
Compare: ボールペン (ballpoint pen)
Compare: 万年筆(まんねんひつ) (fountain pen)
Compare: 油性(ゆせい)ペン (permanent marker)
Compare: 水性(すいせい)ペン (water-based pen)
Compare: 筆(ふで)ペン (brush pen)
general
Added 2026.4.18 19:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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