noun
string (of a shamisen, etc.); stringed instrument
Used for strings of traditional Japanese instruments like the shamisen, koto, or biwa. Can also refer to the instrument itself by metonymy.
See also: 絃
三味線の弦が切れた。
A string on the shamisen broke.
彼は弦を奏でるのが上手だ。
He is good at playing stringed instruments.
noun
Mathematical term for a line segment connecting two points on a curve. Domain-specific use.
円の弦の長さを計算する。
Calculate the length of the chord of the circle.
noun
hypotenuse (rare)
Rare geometric term for the hypotenuse of a right triangle. More commonly called 斜辺 (しゃへん).
See also: 斜辺
直角三角形の弦は斜辺とも呼ばれる。
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is also called 斜辺.
Alternate kanji specifically for musical instrument strings; 弦 is more general and common.
Standard term for hypotenuse; 弦 in this sense is rare and mostly historical or mathematical.
The kanji 弦 originally depicts a bowstring and extends to strings of musical instruments and geometric chords. The reading げん is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.