竹
take[ta̠ke̞]
The Japanese word for bamboo is 竹 (take).
竹 refers to the bamboo plant itself. If you want to describe something as being made of bamboo, you should use the adjective 竹製の.
Meaning: plant (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word for bamboo shoot is 竹の子, which literally means 'child of bamboo'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use bamboo as a modifier for another noun (e.g., 'bamboo stick'), you use the particle の to form 竹の.
How do you pronounce it?
take
Did you know?
- The phrase 竹の子 (bamboo shoot) is often used as a metaphor in Japanese to describe a 'newcomer' or a 'protégé' who follows in their mentor's footsteps.
- In Japanese folklore and art, the 'Princess Kaguya' story centers on a baby found inside a glowing stalk of 竹.
- In Japanese culture, 竹 is a symbol of prosperity and strength because it grows rapidly and is difficult to break.
Examples in context
- パンダは竹が大好きです。Pandas love bamboo.This sentence shows the subject of the sentence using 竹.Tatoeba #11505820 by bunbuku, translation #7548500 by Hybrid
- 竹でテーブルを作りました。I made a table out of bamboo.This sentence shows how to express making something out of 竹.Tatoeba #10883884 by KK_kaku_, translation #10885809 by DJ_Saidez
- 竹が雪のおもみでたわんでいる。The bamboo is bending with the weight of the snow.This sentence illustrates the plant 竹 bending under weight.Tatoeba #126629 by bunbuku, translation #277419 by U2FS
- 日本の庭には美しい竹がたくさんあります。There are many beautiful bamboos in Japanese gardens.
- 竹の子は煮物や天ぷらに使われます。Bamboo shoots are used in simmered dishes and tempura.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are walking through a garden.
- 陽葵 Himariあそこに竹がたくさんありますね。Asoko ni take ga takusan arimasu ne.There is a lot of bamboo over there, isn't there?
- 蓮 Ren本当だ、竹がとても高いですね。Hontou da, take ga totemo takai desu ne.You're right, the bamboo is very tall.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは竹が好きですか？Ren-san wa take ga suki desu ka?Ren, do you like bamboo?
- 蓮 Renはい、風に揺れる音が好きです。Hai, kaze ni yureru oto ga suki desu.Yes, I like the sound of it swaying in the wind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bamboo” translations and entries 竹, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
