こうえん
kōeneveryday
In hiragana, "park" is こうえん (kōen).
To go to a park say こうえんに いく (kōen ni iku). To play there, use こうえんで あそぶ (kōen de asobu).
Meaning: park (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
こうえん is 公園 in kanji. The sound こう (kō) has a long vowel, so say it for two beats.
How do you pronounce it?
Do not shorten the first vowel. こえん with a short vowel is not the word for park.
When do people say it?
Many Japanese parks have a playground for children and cherry trees, and people hold flower viewing picnics there in spring.
Did you know?
- Cherry blossom viewing parties in parks are called はなみ (hanami) and are a spring tradition in Japan.
Examples in context
- こうえんで さんぽします。Kōen de sanpo shimasu.I take a walk in the park.
- こどもたちは こうえんで あそんでいる。Kodomotachi wa kōen de asonde iru.The children are playing in the park.
- ちかくに おおきな こうえんが あります。Chikaku ni ōkina kōen ga arimasu.There is a big park nearby.
Example conversation
Daisuke and his daughter Hina go out on a Sunday morning.
- Daisukeきょうは こうえんに いこうか。Kyō wa kōen ni ikō ka.Shall we go to the park today?
- Hinaうん、ボールを もっていく！Un, bōru o motte iku!Yes, I will take a ball!
- Daisukeじゃあ、じゅんびしよう。Jā, junbi shiyō.Then let us get ready.
