アジサイ
ajisai
The Japanese word for hydrangea is アジサイ (ajisai).
アジサイ refers to the hydrangea shrub. While a kanji version exists, it is most commonly written in katakana.
Meaning: shrub (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The kanji form for hydrangea, 紫陽花, begins with the character for 紫 (purple).
How do you pronounce it?
ajisai
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese Buddhist beliefs, the アジサイ is sometimes associated with death and funerals, making it a flower that people avoid giving as a gift in certain contexts.
- Because of the hydrangea's ability to change colors based on soil acidity, it is often used in Japan as a metaphor for someone whose heart or feelings are unstable.
- While the kanji 紫 means 'purple', many アジサイ in Japan are bred to be blue or pink, meaning the written name often contradicts the actual color of the shrub.
Examples in context
- この庭園には美しいあじさいがあります。This garden has beautiful hydrangeas.
- 庭にアジサイを植えました。Niwa ni ajisai o uemashita.I planted hydrangeas in the garden.
- このアジサイは色がとても綺麗です。Kono ajisai wa iro ga totemo kirei desu.The color of this hydrangea is very beautiful.
- 雨の日にアジサイを見ると落ち着きます。Ame no hi ni ajisai o miru to ochitsukimasu.I feel calm looking at hydrangeas on rainy days.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are walking through a park in early summer.
- 蓮 Renあそこに綺麗なアジサイがありますね。Asoko ni kirei na ajisai ga arimasu ne.There are beautiful hydrangeas over there, aren't there?
- 結衣 Yui本当ですね。蓮さんも好きですか？Hontou desu ne. Ren-san mo suki desu ka?You're right. Do you like them too, Ren?
- 蓮 Renはい、大好きです。Hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love them.
- 結衣 Yui私もこの花が大好きです。Watashi mo kono hana ga daisuki desu.I love these flowers too.
