桜の木
sakura no ki
The English phrase "cherry tree" is translated into Japanese as 桜の木 (sakura no ki).
The term 桜の木 specifically refers to a tree of the subgenus Cerasus. It is common in Japanese to use the word 桜 (sakura) on its own to refer to the cherry tree itself, rather than just the blossom.
Meaning: tree of subgenus Cerasus (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 桜 (sakura, cherry blossom), the possessive particle の (no) and 木 (ki, tree).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase does not change its form to indicate plurality. The number of trees is determined by context or counters.
How do you pronounce it?
sakura no ki
Did you know?
- The word 桜 is written with a character that combines the radicals for 'woman' and 'flower'. Some believe this refers to the grace of the blossoms or the historical presence of women at blossom-viewing parties.
- While 桜の木 describes the tree, the fruit it produces is called さくらんぼ (sakuranbo), a completely different word from the tree itself.
- In the context of 花見 (hanami), the general word for 'flower' 花 is used to refer specifically to the blossoms of the 桜の木.
Examples in context
- 庭に桜の木があります。There's a cherry tree in the garden.This sentence is useful for describing the location of a 桜の木.Tatoeba #9415252 by small_snow, translation #8910245 by sundown
- 桜の木を切り倒しました。I cut down a cherry tree.This sentence is useful for describing an action taken upon a 桜の木.Tatoeba #2982136 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #2719661 by Amastan
- 庭に大きな桜の木があるんだ。There's a big cherry tree in the garden.This sentence is useful for describing the size of a 桜の木 in a garden.Tatoeba #9415254 by small_snow, translation #3937931 by Balamax
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are looking at a park during spring.
- 陽葵 Himariあの桜の木、とても綺麗ですね。Ano sakura no ki, totemo kirei desu ne.That cherry tree is very beautiful, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だね。陽葵さんの言う通り、素晴らしいよ。Hontou da ne. Himari-san no iu toori, subarashii yo.You're right. Just as you say, Himari, it's wonderful.
- 陽葵 Himari毎年ここで見たいです。Mainen koko de mitai desu.I want to see it here every year.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕もそう思うよ。Boku mo sou omou yo.I think so too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
