Japanese word

生ける

Pronunciation

Romajiikeru

Meaning

  • verbarrange

Example

母は花を生けます。haha wa hana o i ke ma su

My mother arranges flowers.

Illustration for 生ける (arrange)

More examples

茶室には、季節に合う花を生けます。cha shitsu ni wa ki setsu ni a u hana o i ke ma su

In the tea room, I arrange flowers suited to the season.

Core concept

Involves putting plant material into a setting where it can stand, grow, or form a pleasing arrangement.

Common phrases

  • 花を生けるhana o i ke ru

    arrange flowers

  • 花瓶に生けるka bin ni i ke ru

    arrange in a vase

Similar words

飾るkazaru: To place something in a way that makes a space look attractive.
挿すsasu: To put flowers or branches into a container or other material so they stand.

Definition in Japanese

花や枝などを花器に美しく整えて飾る。hana ya eda na do o ka ki ni utsuku shi ku totono e te kaza ru

Word origin

生ける (ikeru) is a native Japanese verb historically related to 生く (iku, "to live"), extending the idea of keeping plants alive to arranging them in a vessel.

Usage tips

  • In English, ikebana usually names the Japanese art rather than ordinary flower arranging, while 生ける (ikeru) describes the arranging act itself.

Other meanings

  • plantverb

Related words

  • 生け方ikekataway of arranging flowersnoun

Word lists with this word