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.
花の茎を切る。
I cut the flower stem.
ブロッコリーは茎も食べられる。
You can eat broccoli stems too.
台風で茎が折れて、花が全部だめになった。
The stems broke in the typhoon, and all the flowers were ruined.
茎 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 instead. For mushroom stems, 軸 is more common.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 茎を切る: to cut a stem
- 茎が伸びる: a stem grows/extends
- 茎が折れる: a stem breaks
- 太い茎: thick stalk
- 茎わかめ: stem wakame (a popular snack)
IN COOKING:
Many vegetable stems are edible and commonly used in Japanese cooking. ブロッコリーの茎 (broccoli stems) and セロリの茎 (celery stalks) are everyday ingredients.
RELATED:
- 幹: tree trunk
- 枝: branch
- 根: root
- 葉: leaf