Japanese word

管

Pronunciation

Romajikuda

Meaning

  • nounpipe

Example

水を管に通します。mizu o kuda ni tō shi ma su

We run water through the pipe.

Illustration for 管 (pipe)

More examples

この管は古くなったので、交換が必要です。ko no kuda wa furu ku na tta no de kō kan ga hitsu yō de su

This pipe has worn out, so it needs to be replaced.

Core concept

It refers to a narrow hollow structure used to let a substance flow through it.

Common phrases

  • 管を通すkuda o tō su

    run through a pipe

  • 管が詰まるkuda ga tsu ma ru

    a pipe gets clogged

  • 管の中kuda no naka

    inside a pipe

Similar words

パイプpaipu: A rigid hollow tube used to carry a liquid or gas.
筒tsutsu: A hollow cylindrical object through which a substance can pass.
導管dōkan: A tube used in a system for moving fluids from one place to another.

Definition in Japanese

液体や気体などを通すための、内部が空洞になった細長い筒。eki tai ya ki tai na do o tō su ta me no nai bu ga kū dō ni na tta hoso naga i tsutsu

Word origin

管 (kuda, "pipe") is a native Japanese noun written with the kanji 管, whose form combines 竹 (chiku, "bamboo") with 官 (kan, "official") as a sound element; the noun's older formation is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, pipe can name both a tube and a musical instrument, but 管 (kuda) has the physical-tube meaning.

Other meanings

  • tubenoun

Related words

  • 管状kanjōtubularna-adjective

Word lists with this word