柱
hashira[ha̠ɕiɾa̠]
The Japanese phrase hashira is translated as 柱.
The word 柱 literally means a pillar or column. Metaphorically, it can refer to a person who serves as a mainstay or a fundamental support of an organization or family. Related terms include 支柱, which can be translated as 'mainstay' or 'supporting pillar' and 大黒柱, which refers to the 'main pillar' or 'central support' within a family or organization.
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese architecture, the daikokubashira is the central pillar of a house, believed to be the spiritual heart of the home and the residence of the god Daikoku.
- When a Japanese person refers to someone as the daikokubashira of the family, it traditionally referred to the father, but it is now frequently used for mothers or other primary caregivers.
- The word 柱 is a cognate of the Okinawan word hāya, showing how the concept of a 'pillar' has remained stable across the Ryukyu island chain for centuries.
Examples in context
- 彼は私の人生の柱ですHe is the pillar of my life.
- この建物の柱はとても太い。Kono tatemono no hashira wa totemo futoi.The pillars of this building are very thick.
- 古い家の柱が腐っている。Furui ie no hashira ga kusatte iru.The pillars of the old house are rotting.
- 屋根を支える柱を設置した。Yane o sasaeru hashira o setchi shita.We installed pillars to support the roof.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Daito are looking at a traditional Japanese house.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、この柱はとても太いね。Mite, kono hashira wa totemo futoi ne.Look, these pillars are very thick.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。とても丈夫そうだよ。Hontō da. Totemo jōbu sō da yo.You're right. They look very strong.
- 陽葵 Himari昔の人はすごい技術を持っていたね。Mukashi no hito wa sugoi gijutsu o motte ita ne.People in the past had amazing skills.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。伝統的な造りだね。Sō da ne. Dentō-tekina tsukuri da ne.True. It is a traditional construction.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 柱, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 柱, CC BY-SA 4.0.
