種
[ta̠ne̞]
The English word "seed" is translated into Japanese as 種.
In an agricultural context, 種 refers to any propagative portion of a plant that can be sown. To express the act of planting or sowing seeds, you can use the phrase 種を蒔く (tane o maku).
Meaning: agriculture: any propagative portion of a plant which may be sown (noun)
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 種 (tane) is used to refer to the 'secret' or 'trick' behind a magic performance.
- In some contexts, 種 can refer to the 'capital' or 'starting amount' of money used to begin a business venture.
- The word 種 can be read as tane or shu. While tane is used for a physical seed, shu is often used in scientific names or to describe a biological species.
Examples in context
- 私は庭に花の種を蒔きました。(Watashi wa niwa ni hana no tane o makimashita.)I planted flower seeds in the garden.
- このパンにはごまの粒がたくさんついています。(Kono pan ni wa goma no tsubu ga takusan tsuite imasu.)This bread has many sesame seeds on it.
- この種はとても大きいです。Kono tane wa totemo ookii desu.This seed is very large.
- 花の種をまきました。Hana no tane o makimashita.I sowed flower seeds.
Example conversation
At a gardening center, Hiroto asks Misaki about what to plant.
- 大翔 Hirotoどんな種を買いますか？Donna tane o kaimasu ka?What kind of seeds are you buying?
- 美咲 Misakiトマトの種を買いたいです。Tomato no tane o kaitai desu.I want to buy tomato seeds.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですね。僕も種を探します。Ii desu ne. Boku mo tane o sagashimasu.That's nice. I will look for seeds too.
- 美咲 Misaki一緒に選びましょう。Issho ni erabimashou.Let's choose them together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 種, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
