クチナシ
kuchinashi
The English word gardenia is translated into Japanese as クチナシ (kuchinashi).
クチナシ refers to the tree or shrub of the genus Gardenia.
Meaning: tree or shrub of the genus Gardenia (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The name is derived from the words 口 (mouth) and 無し (without or none), literally meaning no mouth.
How do you pronounce it?
kuchinashi
When do people say it?
The name クチナシ refers to folklore suggesting that the fruit of the gardenia has no mouth, or that the plant itself is 'mouthless'.
Did you know?
- The fruit of the クチナシ is dried and used to create a traditional yellow dye for fabrics and food, such as in some types of traditional Japanese sweets.
- The name クチナシ is linked to a legend about a plant that cannot speak because it has no mouth, mirroring a cultural theme of silent, enduring devotion.
- If you see the word クチナシ in a Japanese poem, it often evokes a sense of summer, as the blooming season and the scent are deeply tied to the heat of the season.
Examples in context
- ガーデニアは美しい花ですね。Gardenias are beautiful flowers, aren't they?
- 庭にクチナシを植えました。Niwa ni kuchinashi o uemashita.I planted a gardenia in the garden.
- クチナシの花は白いです。Kuchinashi no hana wa shiroi desu.The gardenia flowers are white.
- このクチナシの香りはとても良いです。Kono kuchinashi no kaori wa totemo yoi desu.The scent of this gardenia is very good.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are walking in a park.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、あの白い花はクチナシかな？Himari, ano shiroi hana wa kuchinashi kana?Himari, I wonder if those white flowers are gardenias?
- 陽葵 Himariそうみたい。すごくいい匂いがするね。Sou mitai. Sugoku ii nioi ga suru ne.It looks like it. They smell really nice.
- 陽太 Yotaクチナシの香りは落ち着くよね。Kuchinashi no kaori wa ochitsuku yo ne.The scent of gardenias is relaxing, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当に。私も大好きだよ。Hontou ni. Watashi mo daisuki dayo.Really. I love them too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry クチナシ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
