Japanese word

桐

Pronunciation

Romajikiri

Meaning

  • nounpaulownia

Example

桐は成長が早いです。kiri wa sei chō ga haya i de su

The paulownia grows quickly.

Illustration for 桐 (paulownia)

More examples

祖母は大切な着物を桐の箪笥にしまっています。so bo wa tai setsu na ki mono o kiri no tan su ni shi ma tte i ma su

My grandmother keeps her precious kimono in a paulownia chest.

Core concept

Refers to a fast-growing tree valued for its light, workable wood and broad leaves.

Common phrases

  • 桐の箪笥kiri no tan su

    paulownia chest

  • 桐材kiri zai

    paulownia wood

Definition in Japanese

成長が早く、淡紫色の花をつけ、軽く加工しやすい木材が利用される落葉高木。sei chō ga haya ku awa murasaki iro no hana o tsu ke karu ku ka kō shi ya su i moku zai ga ri yō sa re ru raku yō kō boku

Word origin

The Japanese native word 桐 (kiri, "paulownia") has an uncertain etymology; its written form uses the Sino-Japanese character 桐 (tō, "paulownia"), borrowed from Chinese.

Usage tips

  • Paulownia appears on Japan's 500-yen coin and in the Japanese government emblem, giving this tree name a visible place in public life.

Word lists with this word