垣根(かきね)

かきね
noun
hedge; fence
1. hedge; fence; enclosure
A barrier made of plants, bamboo, or other materials used to separate or enclose a property. Can be living (plants) or constructed.
庭(にわ)の垣根(かきね)を剪定(せんてい)した。
I trimmed the hedge in the garden.
隣(となり)との垣根(かきね)が低(ひく)すぎる。
The fence between us and the neighbors is too low.
生(い)け垣(がき)の垣根(かきね)に小鳥(ことり)が巣(す)を作(つく)った。
A small bird built a nest in the hedge.
2. barrier; division (figurative)
Metaphorically, a barrier or division between people, groups, or concepts.
国(くに)と国(くに)の垣根(かきね)を越(こ)えて協力(きょうりょく)する。
Cooperate beyond national boundaries.
[Note: Figurative usage meaning 'barriers between nations']
部署(ぶしょ)の垣根(かきね)を取(と)り払(はら)って協力(きょうりょく)しよう。
Let's remove departmental barriers and cooperate.
官民(かんみん)の垣根(かきね)が低(ひく)くなり、情報(じょうほう)共有(きょうゆう)が進(すす)んでいる。
The barriers between the public and private sectors are lowering, and information sharing is progressing.

TYPES OF HEDGES/FENCES:

  • 生(い)け垣(がき) (living hedge made of plants)
  • 竹垣(たけがき) (bamboo fence)
  • 板垣(いたがき) (wooden board fence)

FIGURATIVE USAGE:

  • 垣根(かきね)を取(と)り払(はら)う (to remove barriers)
  • 垣根(かきね)を越(こ)える (to cross boundaries)
  • 垣根(かきね)を設(もう)ける (to set up barriers)
  • 垣根(かきね)が低(ひく)い (approachable, accessible - lit. 'low fence')

CULTURE: Traditional Japanese gardens often feature carefully maintained hedges and fences as aesthetic elements.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 塀(へい) (wall, fence - solid structure)
  • フェンス (fence - metal/wire)
  • 柵(さく) (fence, railing)

Related Words

Related: 塀(へい) (wall/fence (solid))
general
Added 2026.1.13 19:53 · Revised 2026.2.19 23:52
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