茎(くき)

くき

noun

stem, stalk

1. stem, stalk

The main upright part of a plant that supports the leaves, flowers, and fruit. Used for all types of plants, from flowers to vegetables.

花(はな)の茎(くき)を切(き)る。

I cut the flower stem.

ブロッコリーは茎(くき)も食(た)べられる。

You can eat broccoli stems too.

台風(たいふう)で茎(くき)が折(お)れて、花(はな)が全部(ぜんぶ)だめになった。

The stems broke in the typhoon, and all the flowers were ruined.

茎(くき) refers to the stem or stalk of any plant — the part that supports leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Usage

Applies to flowers, vegetables, and herbs alike. For tree trunks, use 幹(みき) instead. For mushroom stems, 軸(じく) is more common.
Many vegetable stems are edible and commonly used in Japanese cooking. ブロッコリーの茎(くき) (broccoli stems) and セロリの茎(くき) (celery stalks) are everyday ingredients.

Common collocations

茎(くき)を切(き)る: to cut a stem
茎(くき)が伸(の)びる: a stem grows/extends
茎(くき)が折(お)れる: a stem breaks
太(ふと)い茎(くき): thick stalk
茎(くき)わかめ: stem wakame (a popular snack)

Related words

幹(みき): tree trunk
枝(えだ): branch
根(ね): root
葉(は): leaf

Related Words

Related: 幹(みき) (tree trunk)

Related: 枝(えだ) (branch)

Related: 根(ね) (root)

Related: 葉(は) (leaf)

Related: たんぽぽ (dandelion)

general

Added 2026.2.28 10:12 · Revised 2026.10.11 3:34

14000/14119_kuki