レイ
rei
The English phrase 'lei' is translated into Japanese as レイ (rei).
レイ is a noun used to refer to a garland of flowers in Hawaii.
Meaning: garland of flowers in Hawaii (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is rei.
Did you know?
- While レイ refers to the Hawaiian flower garland, the same sound in Japanese can mean 'spirit' 霊 or 'zero' 零 depending on the kanji used.
- In Japanese, the word レイ is also the phonetic transcription of the English word 'ray', as in a 'ray of sunshine'.
- The sound レイ is common in Japanese names, such as 'Rei', meaning it can be confused with a person's name if used without context.
Examples in context
- 彼女はお祝いの花飾りを首にかけました。(Kanojo wa oiwai no hana-kazari wo kubi ni kakemashita.)She put the congratulatory flower decoration around her neck.
- 彼はパーティーでレイをかけてくれました。(Kare wa paatii de re'i wo kaketekuremashita.)He put the lei around my neck at the party.
- 綺麗なレイですね。Kirei na rei desu ne.It is a beautiful lei.
- このレイは香りがいいです。Kono rei wa kaori ga ii desu.This lei smells good.
- 誕生日にレイをもらいました。Tanjoubi ni rei o moraimashita.I received a lei for my birthday.
Example conversation
The two are looking at vacation photos together.
- 陽葵 Himariこのレイ、すごくいい色だね。kono rei, sugoku ii iro da ne.This lei has a really nice color.
- 健太 Kentaうん、空港で選んだんだよ。un, kuukou de erandanda yo.Yeah, I picked it out at the airport.
- 陽葵 Himari本物の花でできているの？honmono no hana de dekite iru no?Is it made of real flowers?
- 健太 Kentaそうだよ。とてもいい香りがしたよ。sou da yo. totemo ii kaori ga shita yo.Yes, it smelled very good.
