柱
hashira[ha̠ɕiɾa̠]
The Japanese word for pillar is 柱 (hashira).
柱 refers to a large post used for supporting architecture. It is also used metaphorically to describe a person or thing that provides essential support, such as a 'pillar of the community'.
Meaning: large post, often used as supporting architecture (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Western Japan, the form bashira may be used instead of hashira to mean pillar.
How do you pronounce it?
hashira
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese architecture, the 柱 are often not fixed to the foundation with bolts but simply rest on stones to allow the building to shift during an earthquake.
- In some Japanese folk beliefs, the central 柱 of a home was considered the dwelling place of the house spirit and was treated with special reverence.
- The term 大黒柱 'daikokubashira' refers to the main central pillar of a house and is used as a metaphor for the primary breadwinner or head of a household.
Examples in context
- これは石柱である。This is a stone pillar.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe a stone pillar using 柱.Tatoeba #11358812 by cia_UnitedStatesNa13, translation #13008484 by urro
- 柱にナイフが突き刺さっていた。There was a knife stuck in the pillar.This sentence is useful for describing an object, like a knife, stuck in a 柱.Tatoeba #10999851 by bunbuku, translation #12033290 by Winter
- その神社には美しい木の柱があります。That shrine has beautiful wooden pillars.
- あの神社の周りに団子のような石柱があります。There are stone pillars around that shrine that resemble dumplings.
- この建物の中心には太い柱がある。kono tatemono no chuushin ni wa futoi hashira ga aru.There is a thick pillar at the center of this building.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are walking through a traditional Japanese temple.
- 結衣 Yuiあの大きな柱、かっこいいですね。ano ookina hashira, kakkoii desu ne.That large pillar is cool, isn't it?
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。とても立派な柱だね。hontou da. totemo rippa na hashira da ne.You're right. It's a very magnificent pillar.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは、この柱に触れても大丈夫だと思いますか？ren-san wa, kono hashira ni furete mo daijoubu da to omoimasu ka?Ren, do you think it's okay to touch this pillar?
- 蓮 Ren触らないほうがいいと思うよ。sawaranai hou ga ii to omou yo.I think it's better not to touch it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pillar” translations and entries 柱, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
