Japanese word

あし

Pronunciation

Romajiashi

Meaning

  • nounreed

Example

川辺にあしが生えています。kawa be ni a shi ga ha e te i ma su

Reeds are growing by the river.

Illustration for あし (reed)

More examples

風が吹くと、あしの葉が静かに揺れます。kaze ga fu ku to a shi no ha ga shizu ka ni yu re ma su

When the wind blows, the reed leaves sway quietly.

Core concept

Refers to a tall perennial grass with hollow stems that grows in wetlands and can serve as a natural material.

Common phrases

  • あしが生えるa shi ga ha e ru

    reeds grow

  • あしを刈るa shi o ka ru

    cut reeds

Definition in Japanese

水辺や湿地に生える、茎が中空の多年草。mizu be ya shit chi ni ha e ru kuki ga chū kū no ta nen sō

Word origin

The native Japanese plant name あし (ashi) is written with kanji such as 葦 (ashi, "reed") and 蘆 (ashi, "reed"), rather than being borrowed from another language.

Usage tips

  • In English, reed also names the thin vibrating part of some woodwind instruments, linking the plant to a familiar musical term.

Other meanings

  • footnoun
  • legnoun

Word lists with this word