木(き)

き

noun

tree, wood

1. tree

A tall plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves. A fundamental nature word.

庭(にわ)に大(おお)きい木(き)があります。

There is a big tree in the garden.

木(き)に登(のぼ)るのは危(あぶ)ないです。

Climbing trees is dangerous.

公園(こうえん)にたくさんの木(き)があります。

There are many trees in the park.

木(き)の下(した)で休(やす)みましょう。

Let's rest under the tree.

秋(あき)になると、木(き)の葉(は)が赤(あか)くなります。

When autumn comes, the leaves on trees turn red.

祖父(そふ)は毎日(まいにち)庭(にわ)の木(き)に水(みず)をやっています。

My grandfather waters the trees in the garden every day.

2. wood, timber

The material obtained from trees, used for building and crafts.

このテーブルは木(き)で作(つく)られています。

This table is made of wood.

日本(にほん)の家(いえ)は木(き)で作(つく)られることが多(おお)いです。

Japanese houses are often made of wood.

木(き)の椅子(いす)は座(すわ)り心地(ごこち)がいいです。

Wooden chairs are comfortable to sit on.

この箱(はこ)は木(き)でできています。

This box is made of wood.

木(き)のおもちゃは子供(こども)に人気(にんき)があります。

Wooden toys are popular with children.

木(き) is one of the most basic nature words, meaning both 'tree' (the living plant) and 'wood' (the material).

Kanji readings

き: native Japanese reading (kun'yomi)
もく: Sino-Japanese reading (e.g., 木曜日(もくようび))
ぼく: Sino-Japanese reading (e.g., 大木(たいぼく))

Common expressions

木(き)を植(う)える: to plant a tree
木(き)に登(のぼ)る: to climb a tree
木(き)の下(した): under the tree
木(き)で作(つく)る: to make from wood

木(き)を見(み)て森(もり)を見(み)ず: 'Can't see the forest for the trees' - focusing on details while missing the big picture.

Compounds

木曜日(もくようび): Thursday
木造(もくぞう): wooden construction
木の葉(このは): tree leaves
並木(なみき): row of trees
木々(きぎ): trees (plural)

Related Words

See also: 花(はな)

Synonym: 樹木(じゅもく) (formal/literary)

Related: 草(くさ) (grass, weeds, herbs (the general word for small plants))

Compare: 果樹(かじゅ) (fruit tree)

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

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