杉
sugi
The Japanese word for cedar is 杉 (sugi).
杉 refers to a coniferous tree in the family Cupressaceae.
Meaning: coniferous tree in family Cupressaceae (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is sugi.
Did you know?
- Many shrines in Japan are surrounded by forests of 杉, as these towering trees are believed to act as antennas for the gods.
- While 杉 is translated as 'cedar', it specifically refers to the Japanese Cedar, which is actually a member of the cypress family and not a true cedar.
- The kanji used for 杉 is an example of ateji, meaning the characters were chosen for their sound rather than their literal meaning.
Examples in context
- 松(まつ)や杉(すぎ)の木立(こだち)が日本(にっぽん)の風景(ふうけい)を彩(いろど)っています。The forests of pine and cedar trees adorn the Japanese landscape.
- ヒノキの風味(ふうみ)がとても好(す)きです。I really like the taste of cedar.
- 杉の木はとても高いです。sugi no ki wa totemo takai desu.The cedar tree is very tall.
- この森には杉がたくさんあります。kono mori ni wa sugi ga takusan arimasu.There are many cedars in this forest.
- 杉の香りはとても落ち着きます。sugi no kaori wa totemo ochitsukimasu.The scent of cedar is very calming.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking through a mountain trail.
- 陽葵 Himariあそこに大きな杉が見えますね。asoko ni ookina sugi ga miemasu ne.I can see a large cedar tree over there.
- 蓮 Ren本当ですね、立派な杉です。hontou desu ne, rippa na sugi desu.You're right, it's a magnificent cedar.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは、杉の香りが好きですか？ren-san wa, sugi no kaori ga suki desu ka?Ren, do you like the scent of cedar?
- 蓮 Renはい、とてもリラックスできます。hai, totemo rirakkusu dekimasu.Yes, it is very relaxing.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 杉, CC BY-SA 4.0.
