柳
yanagi[ja̠na̠ɡʲi]
The Japanese word for willow is 柳 (yanagi).
柳 refers to the willow tree. In Japanese poetry and literature, the willow is often used as a symbol of flexibility and grace due to its ability to bend without breaking.
Meaning: tree (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
yanagi
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 柳の枝に雪折れなし。Willow branches don't break under the weight of snow.This sentence is useful for illustrating the characteristic of 柳 branches not breaking under snow.Tatoeba #79460 by small_snow, translation #5531610 by JimBreen
- 花火のフィナーレを飾った「しだれ柳」は、夜空に華やかに舞い上がり、緩やかな弧を描きながらゆっくりと垂れ下がって、やがてその可憐な姿を消していった。The Firework's displays final "Weeping Willow" display brilliantly launched into the night sky, slowly dripping down as it drew a gentle slope until finally its blossoming figure gradually vanished.This sentence describes a 'weeping willow' display in a firework show using the word 柳.Tatoeba #9096675 by small_snow, translation #9984694 by tsp_2
- 川辺の柳は美しいです。The willow tree near the riverbank is beautiful.
- 私の庭にヤナギを植えました。I planted a willow in my garden.
- 池のほとりに柳がある。Ike no hotori ni yanagi ga aru.There is a willow by the pond.
Example conversation
A couple walks through a park.
- 蓮 Renあそこに大きな柳が見えるよ。Asoko ni ookina yanagi ga mieru yo.I can see a large willow over there.
- 美咲 Misaki本当。とてもきれいな柳ね。Hontou. Totemo kirei na yanagi ne.True. It's a very beautiful willow.
- 蓮 Ren風で枝が揺れているね。Kaze de eda ga yurete iru ne.The branches are swaying in the wind.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さんと一緒に見られて嬉しいわ。Ren-san to issho ni mirarete ureshii wa.I'm happy to see it with you, Ren.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “willow” translations and entries 柳, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 柳, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
