五七五(ごしちご)

ごしちご
noun
5-7-5 syllable pattern (haiku meter)
artculture
1. 5-7-5 syllable pattern; the metrical structure of haiku
The syllable pattern of 5-7-5 morae that forms the basis of haiku and the opening verse of renga. Also used loosely to refer to haiku or haiku-like composition.
俳句(はいく)は五七五(ごしちご)で詠(よ)む。
Haiku are composed in a 5-7-5 pattern.
五七五(ごしちご)の音数(おんすう)に合(あ)わせてみよう。
Let's try matching the 5-7-5 syllable count.
子供(こども)たちが五七五(ごしちご)のリズムで俳句(はいく)を作(つく)る授業(じゅぎょう)が行(おこな)われた。
A class was held where children composed haiku in the 5-7-5 rhythm.

Refers to the pattern of 5, 7, and 5 morae (sound units) that defines the structure of haiku, the world's shortest poetic form. This same pattern forms the first three lines of tanka (短歌(たんか)), which follows a 五七五七七(ごしちごしちしち) pattern.

Forms

  • 五七五七七(ごしちごしちしち): 5-7-5-7-7, the tanka meter
  • 七五調(しちごちょう): 7-5 rhythm, common in traditional Japanese verse
  • 五七調(ごしちちょう): 5-7 rhythm

Cultural note

In Japan, 五七五(ごしちご) is taught in elementary school as part of the national language curriculum. Composing haiku is a popular pastime, and TV programs like NHK俳句(えぬえいちけーはいく) regularly feature amateur and professional poets. The term is widely understood even by people with no special interest in poetry.

general
Added 2026.4.8 4:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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