杜松
nezu
The Japanese word for the juniper shrub or tree of the genus Juniperus is 杜松 (nezu).
杜松 is a noun used to refer to plants belonging to the genus Juniperus.
Meaning: shrub or tree of the genus Juniperus (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is nezu.
Did you know?
- The reading nezu is a linguistic rarity because the first kanji 杜 is normally read as to or mori. In 杜松, it uses a specialized reading known as jukujikun, where the meaning of the characters is prioritized over their standard sounds.
- The word 杜松 is often used in Japanese poetry to symbolize loneliness or the bleakness of winter. This is due to the plant's ability to remain green while surrounding deciduous trees lose their leaves.
- The character 杜 in 杜松 specifically refers to a sacred grove or a boundary tree, indicating that junipers were historically viewed as markers of special spaces.
Examples in context
- ヒマノキの実は健康に良いと言われています。Juniper berries are said to be good for your health.
- 庭に杜松が植えてあります。Niwa ni tomatsu ga uete arimasu.A juniper is planted in the garden.
- この杜松はとても小さいです。Kono tomatsu wa totemo chiisai desu.This juniper is very small.
- 杜松の葉は針のように尖っています。Tomatsu no ha wa hari no you ni togatte imasu.The leaves of the juniper are sharp like needles.
Example conversation
Two people are walking through a botanical garden.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこに杜松が見えますよ。Asoko ni tomatsu ga miemasu yo.I can see a juniper over there.
- 陽葵 Himari本当ですね、綺麗な杜松です。Hontou desu ne, kirei na tomatsu desu.You're right, it's a beautiful juniper.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんはこの植物が好きですか？Himari-san wa kono shokubutsu ga suki desu ka?Do you like this plant, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても可愛らしいです。Hai, totemo kawairashii desu.Yes, it's very lovely.
