Japanese word

梢

Pronunciation

Romajikozue

Meaning

  • nountreetop

Example

風に梢が揺れます。kaze ni kozue ga yu re ma su

The treetop sways in the wind.

Illustration for 梢 (treetop)

More examples

朝日が梢の間から差し込みます。asa hi ga kozue no aida ka ra sa shi ko mi ma su

Morning sunlight streams through the treetops.

Core concept

It points to the high, delicate outer growth of a tree, where branches reach toward the sky.

Common phrases

  • 梢の間kozue no aida

    among the treetops

  • 梢越しにkozue ko shi ni

    through the treetops

  • 梢に止まるkozue ni to ma ru

    perch in a treetop

Similar words

枝先edasaki: The ends of a tree's branches, especially their farthest points.
樹冠jukan: The upper mass of branches and leaves that forms the top of a tree.

Definition in Japanese

木の上部にある枝の先や、そのあたりの部分。ki no jō bu ni a ru eda no saki ya so no a ta ri no bu bun

Word origin

梢 (kozue) is a native Japanese word traditionally associated with 木末 (kozue), combining 木 (ko, "tree") and 末 (sue, "end"); 梢 is the kanji used for this meaning.

Usage tips

  • In English, treetop often suggests a whole upper crown, while 梢 (kozue) can also focus on the slender ends of individual branches.

Other meanings

  • tip of a branchnoun

Word lists with this word