植物
shokubutsu[ɕo̞kɯ̟bɯ̟t͡sɨ]
The English word 'plants' is translated to Japanese as 植物 (shokubutsu).
In a biological context, the term 植物界 refers specifically to the plant kingdom. For example, you might also encounter the word ひまわり when referring specifically to a sunflower.
Which one should you use?
植物 is a formal, scientific or general term for plants. In contrast, casual conversation might use more specific terms like 草 (grass/weeds) or 花 (flowers).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'plant's' or 'of plants', add the particle の after 植物, resulting in 植物の.
Did you know?
- Japanese has a unique word 木漏れ日 (komorebi) which describes sunlight filtering through the leaves of plants and trees, a concept with no single-word English equivalent.
- The word 'plant' in English can mean a factory, but in Japanese, if you use a term related to 植物, you will only ever be talking about biological organisms.
- While 植物 is the general term, Japanese people often use greenery or greenery/foliage via the word 緑 (green) to describe the presence of plants in an urban space.
Examples in context
- 苗は若い植物です。Seedlings are young plants.This sentence is useful for describing seedlings as young plants using 植物.Tatoeba #11310561 by small_snow, translation #4328917 by AlanF_US
- 日光は植物に有益である。Sunshine is beneficial to plants.This sentence is useful for stating that sunshine is beneficial to plants using 植物.Tatoeba #122881 by tommy__san, translation #281121 by CK
- 花や植物が大好きなのよ。She loves flowers and plants.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for flowers and plants using 植物.Tatoeba #11030924 by small_snow, translation #2490432 by Hybrid
- 植物は私たちの生活に欠かせない存在です。Plants are an indispensable part of our lives.
- この植物ちゃん、とてもかわいらしいね！This plant buddy is so adorable, don't you think?
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are talking at a botanical garden.
- 大翔 Hirotoここは植物がたくさんありますね。Koko wa shokubutsu ga takusan arimasu ne.There are many plants here, aren't there?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、美しい植物ばかりですね。Hai, utsukushii shokubutsu bakari desu ne.Yes, it is nothing but beautiful plants.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんは、植物に興味がありますか？Misaki-san wa, shokubutsu ni kyoumi ga arimasu ka?Misaki, are you interested in plants?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、大好きです。Hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 植物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
