Japanese word

田んぼ

Pronunciation

Romajitanbo

Meaning

  • nounrice field

Example

この田んぼは広いです。ko no ta n bo wa hiro i de su

This rice field is large.

Illustration for 田んぼ (rice field)

More examples

雨の後、田んぼに水がたまっています。ame no ato ta n bo ni mizu ga ta ma tte i ma su

After the rain, water has collected in the rice field.

Core concept

Refers to a cultivated plot whose shape, soil, and water are arranged to support the growth of rice.

Common phrases

  • 田んぼに水を張るta n bo ni mizu o ha ru

    fill a rice field with water

  • 田んぼのあぜta n bo no a ze

    ridge around a rice field

  • 田んぼの稲ta n bo no ine

    rice plants in a rice field

Similar words

水田suiden: A field used to grow rice with water carefully managed for the crop.
田ta: A rice-growing field, used as a general term for this type of farmland.

Definition in Japanese

稲を育てるために水を張るなどして整えた農地。ine o soda te ru ta me ni mizu o ha ru na do shi te totono e ta nō chi

Word origin

The native Japanese word 田んぼ (tanbo) is linked to the older form 田圃 (tanbo), whose characters are 田 (ta, "rice field") and 圃 (ho, "cultivated field"); the exact word history is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • Raised banks divide many 田んぼ (tanbo) into separate plots and help farmers control the water used for rice cultivation.

Word lists with this word