樺の木
kabanoki
The English word "birch" is translated into Japanese as 樺の木 (kabanoki). If unsure, use 樺の木. Wiktionary also lists 樺 (kaba).
Meaning: tree (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 樺の木 | kabanoki | |
| 樺 | kaba | [ka̠ba̠] (narrow) [kã̠mba̠] (narrow) |
While 樺の木 refers to the tree, the term 白樺 (meaning "white birch") is the more common way to refer to the visually distinctive white-barked birch trees in Japan. Additionally, the specific term 白樺の木材 is used when referring to birch wood.
What does it mean word for word?
The form 樺の木 (kabanoki) is composed of 樺 (birch), the possessive particle の and 木 (tree).
Which one should you use?
While 樺の木 (kabanoki) specifically refers to the tree itself, the shorter form 樺 (kaba) is often used to refer to the species or the wood in a more general sense.
How do you pronounce it?
kabanoki
Did you know?
- In the ancient poetry collection Man'yōshū, completed around 759 CE, the word 樺 was used to mean 'sakura'.
- In Japan, the image of the 'white birch' 白樺 is often associated with purity and the landscapes of Hokkaido.
Examples in context
- 樺は、日本の森林の中でも美しい木の一つです。Birch is one of the beautiful trees found in Japanese forests.
- 秋の風に吹かれながら、樺の木が葉を落とします。As the autumn wind blows, the birch trees shed their leaves.
- 春になると、白樺の木の周りには美しい花が咲きます。In spring, beautiful flowers bloom around the white birch trees.
- あの樺の木はとても白いですね。Ano kaba no ki wa totemo shiroi desu ne.That birch tree is very white.
- 森の中に樺の木が見えます。Mori no naka ni kaba no ki ga miemasu.I can see a birch tree in the forest.
- 樺の木の下で休みましょう。Kaba no ki no shita de yasumimashou.Let's rest under the birch tree.
Example conversation
Two people are walking through a park in autumn.
- 陽太 Yotaこの樺の木、綺麗だね。Kono kaba no ki, kirei da ne.This birch tree is beautiful, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当、幹が白くて素敵だわ。Hontou, miki ga shirokute suteki da wa.Really, the trunk is white and lovely.
- 陽太 Yota写真に撮ってもいいかな？Shashin ni totte mo ii kana?I wonder if it's okay to take a photo?
- 美咲 Misakiええ、ぜひ撮って！Ee, zehi totte!Yes, please do!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “birch” translations and entries 樺の木, 樺, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 樺, CC BY-SA 4.0.
