クローバー
kurōbā[kɯ̟ɾo̞ːba̠ː]
The English word "clover" is translated into Japanese as クローバー (kurōbā). If unsure, use クローバー. Wiktionary also lists 白詰草 (shirotsumekusa) and 車軸草 (shajikusō).
Meaning: plant in genus Trifolium (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| クローバー | kurōbā | [kɯ̟ɾo̞ːba̠ː] (narrow) |
| 白詰草 | shirotsumekusa | [ɕiɾo̞ t͡sɨme̞kɯ̟̊sa̠] (narrow) |
| 車軸草 | shajikusō | [ɕa̠ʑikɯ̟̊so̞ː] (narrow) |
The katakana クローバー is the most common way to refer to clover in everyday conversation, such as when talking about four-leaf clovers.
Which one should you use?
While クローバー is the common loanword, 白詰草 is the specific botanical name for white clover. Additionally, 車軸草 is another way to refer to the plant.
How do you pronounce it?
kurōbā
Did you know?
- The term 車軸草 literally translates to 'axle grass'. It is a poetic name derived from the plant's physical appearance, which resembles a vehicle's axle.
- The native term 白詰草 only appeared in Japanese botanical texts around 1884 because the plant was not originally native to Japan.
- Unlike in English where 'clover' is a common noun, in Japanese, using the kanji-based 白詰草 in casual conversation might make you sound like a scientist or a botanist.
Examples in context
- 見て！四つ葉のクローバーよ！Look! A four-leafed clover!This sentence is useful for pointing out a four-leaf clover using クローバー.Tatoeba #10746416 by small_snow, translation #3533931 by adamtrousers
- 四つ葉のクローバーを見つけたことがありますか。Have you ever found a four-leaf clover?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever found a four-leaf clover using クローバー.Tatoeba #168970 by bunbuku, translation #245517 by CK
- 彼女は幸運のシンボルとしてクローバーを身につけていました。She was wearing a clover as a symbol of good luck.
- 公園にたくさんのクローバーが生えています。Kōen ni takusan no kurōbā ga haete imasu.There is a lot of clover growing in the park.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are walking through a grassy field.
- 健太 Kentaこの辺りはクローバーがたくさんありますね。Kono atari wa kurōbā ga takusan arimasu ne.There is a lot of clover around here, isn't there?
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですね。緑がとても綺麗です。Hontō desu ne. Midori ga totemo kirei desu.It really is. The greenery is very beautiful.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんは、クローバーを摘むのは好きですか。Misaki-san wa, kurōbā o tsumu no wa suki desu ka.Misaki, do you like picking clover?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、楽しいですよ。Hai, tanoshii desu yo.Yes, it's fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clover” translations and entries クローバー, 白詰草, 車軸草, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries クローバー, 白詰草, 車軸草, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
