Japanese word

杉

Pronunciation

Romajisugi

Meaning

  • nounJapanese cedar

Example

山に杉がたくさんあります。yama ni sugi ga ta ku sa n a ri ma su

There are many cedar trees in the mountains.

Illustration for 杉 (Japanese cedar)

More examples

この神社には古い杉が残っています。ko no jin ja ni wa furu i sugi ga noko tte i ma su

An old cedar tree remains at this shrine.

Core concept

Refers to a tall evergreen tree with a straight trunk and needle-like leaves that is strongly associated with Japan.

Common phrases

  • 杉の香りsugi no kao ri

    scent of cedar

  • 杉を植えるsugi o u e ru

    plant cedar trees

  • 杉の葉sugi no ha

    cedar leaves

Definition in Japanese

日本などに自生する、まっすぐに伸びた幹と針のような葉を持つ常緑高木。nihon na do ni ji sei su ru ma ssu gu ni no bi ta miki to hari no yō na ha o mo tsu jō ryoku taka gi

Word origin

杉 (sugi, "Japanese cedar") comes from a native Japanese word whose earliest formation is uncertain, while the kanji 杉 is a Chinese-derived written character used to represent that word.

Usage tips

  • In English, Japanese cedar usually refers to Cryptomeria japonica, a cypress relative rather than a true cedar, so the translation highlights a useful botanical distinction.

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