Japanese word

七夕

Pronunciation

Romajitanabata

Meaning

  • nounstar festival

Example

七夕は七月の行事です。tanabata wa nana gatsu no gyō ji de su

Tanabata is a July festival.

Illustration for 七夕 (star festival)

More examples

学校で七夕の飾りを作りました。gak kō de tanabata no kaza ri o tsuku ri ma shi ta

We made Tanabata decorations at school.

Core concept

A summer festival where people express wishes through colorful paper decorations and bamboo branches.

Common phrases

  • 七夕の飾りtanabata no kaza ri

    Tanabata decoration

  • 七夕の夜tanabata no yoru

    Tanabata night

  • 七夕の願い事tanabata no nega i goto

    Tanabata wish

Similar words

星祭りhoshimatsuri: A traditional name for a July 7 festival associated with two stars and the Milky Way.

Definition in Japanese

七月七日に、短冊に願い事を書いて笹に飾る日本の行事。nana gatsu nano ka ni tan zaku ni nega i goto o ka i te sasa ni kaza ru nihon no gyō ji

Word origin

The name 七夕 (tanabata, "seventh evening") combines 七 (nana, "seven") and 夕 (yū, "evening"), while its reading is linked to an old Japanese weaving tradition.

Usage tips

  • Tanabata is linked to a story about Orihime and Hikoboshi, who meet across the Milky Way once a year.

Word lists with this word