竹(たけ)

たけ
noun
bamboo
1. bamboo
A tall grass with hollow stems.
竹(たけ)が風(かぜ)に揺(ゆ)れている。
The bamboo is swaying in the wind.
竹(たけ)で籠(かご)を作(つく)る。
To make a basket from bamboo.
京都(きょうと)の竹林(ちくりん)は観光客(かんこうきゃく)に人気(にんき)がある。
The bamboo groves in Kyoto are popular with tourists.

竹(たけ) refers to bamboo, a plant with deep cultural significance in Japan.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 竹の子(たけのこ)/筍(たけのこ): bamboo shoot (a popular spring food)
  • 竹林(ちくりん): bamboo grove
  • 竹刀(しない): bamboo sword (used in kendo)
  • 青竹(あおだけ): green/fresh bamboo
  • 竹(たけ)ざお: bamboo pole

CULTURE:

  • One of the "Three Friends of Winter" (松竹梅(しょうちくばい)) along with pine and plum, symbolizing resilience
  • 松竹梅(しょうちくばい) is also used to rank quality levels (top/middle/standard) at restaurants
  • 竹取(たけとり)物語(ものがたり) (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter) is one of Japan's oldest stories
  • Used extensively in traditional crafts: baskets, fences, utensils
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:34 · Revised 2026.3.26 22:07
02000/02220_take