Translation and Meaning of: 田 - ta

The Japanese word 田[た] is a fundamental term for those learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "rice field," reflecting the historical and economic importance of this crop in the country. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin of the kanji to its everyday use, including cultural curiosities and tips for memorization. If you have ever wondered how this word is used in sentences or why it appears in so many place names, keep reading!

Meaning and origin of the kanji 田

The kanji 田 visually represents a field divided into sections, something common in Japanese rice paddies. Its origin dates back to ancient China, where it was used to describe cultivable land. In Japan, it gained even more relevance due to the central role of rice in traditional food and economy. The most common reading is "ta," but it can also be read as "da" in some contexts.

Interestingly, this kanji appears in many Japanese surnames, such as Tanaka (田中) or Yamada (山田). This is because, in the past, families were often identified by the land they cultivated or the location of their properties. This practice reveals how agriculture shaped not only the landscape but also the Japanese cultural identity.

Everyday use and practical examples

In modern language, 田 retains its original meaning but also appears in compound words. For example, 田舎 (inaka) means "countryside" or "rural area," while 水田 (suiden) specifically refers to a flooded rice field. These terms demonstrate how the concept of rice cultivation remains present in current Japanese vocabulary.

A useful tip for students is to associate the shape of the kanji 田 with the image of a divided field. This visualization helps to memorize both the writing and the meaning. Furthermore, paying attention to place names can be revealing - many train stations or neighborhoods with "ta" in the name indicate areas that were important agricultural centers in the past.

Cultural importance and curiosities

The rice field represented by 田 goes beyond a simple cultivation area. It symbolizes the harmonious relationship between the Japanese people and nature, a value deeply rooted in the country's culture. Festivals like the Taue Matsuri celebrate the planting of rice with dances and rituals that date back centuries.

In art and literature, rice fields frequently appear as symbols of prosperity, community work, and natural cycles. To this day, many Japanese families maintain the tradition of gifting mochi (rice cake) on special occasions, reinforcing the cultural connection to this grain that shaped the country's history.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 田畑 (Tabata) - Farmland; rice fields and cultivation.
• 田圃 (Tamba) - Rice field; cultivated area of rice.
• 田地 (Tanchi) - Agricultural land; refers to land used for cultivation.
• 田んぼ (Tanbo) - Rice field; specifically an area flooded for rice cultivation.
• 畑地 (Hatakechi) - Cultivated land; lands used for growing vegetables and other plants.
• 畑 (Hatake) - Field; usually refers to land cultivated with vegetables, unlike rice.
• 耕地 (Kouji) - Cultivated land; more generally, it includes all types of soil managed for agriculture.

田

Romaji: ta
Kana: た
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Rice field

Meaning in English: rice field

Definition: Field: A field created by water drainage. It is used to cultivate rice and vegetables.

Example Sentences - (田) ta

See below some example sentences:

私の本名は山田太郎です。

Watashi no honmyou wa Yamada Taro desu

My real name is Yamada Taro.

My real name is Taro Yamada.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 本名 (honmyou) - It means "real name" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 山田太郎 (Yamada Taro) - proper name in Japanese, composed of surname (Yamada) and given name (Taro)
• です (desu) - the verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate identity or characteristics

田舎に住むのは静かでいいです。

Inaka ni sumu no wa shizuka de ii desu

Living in the countryside is peaceful and good.

Living in the countryside is peaceful and good.

• 田舎 - "Inaka" - "Countryside" It means "field" or "rural area" in Japanese.
• に - "to" a Japanese particle that indicates the location of something.
• 住む - "to live" a Japanese verb that means "to live" or "to reside".
• のは - "no wa" - "of" a Japanese grammatical construction that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 静か - "quiet" A Japanese adjective that means "quiet" or "calm" is 静か (shizuka).
• で - "of" a Japanese particle that indicates the condition or situation in which something occurs.
• いい - "good" A Japanese adjective that means "good" or "pleasant".
• です - desu - One polite way to say "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese is "です" (desu).

田んぼで稲を育てています。

Tanbo de ine wo sodateteimasu

I am cultivating rice in a field.

I cultivate rice in a rice field.

• 田んぼ - Rice field
• で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 稲 - rice
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 育てています - verb that indicates the action of cultivating rice

私の姓は山田です。

Watashi no sei wa Yamada desu

My last name is Yamada.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - possession particle, indicating that the next term is an object of possession
• 姓 - noun that means "surname"
• は - topic particle, indicating that the next term is the subject of the sentence
• 山田 - common Japanese surname
• です - verb to be in the polite form

私の姓名は山田です。

Watashi no seimei wa Yamada desu

My full name is Yamada.

My first name is Yamada.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 姓名 - noun meaning "full name" in Japanese
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 山田 - common Japanese surname
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or description

私の祖父は水田を所有しています。

Watashi no sofu wa suiden o shoyu shite imasu

My grandfather owns a rice field.

My grandfather owns Paddy Fields.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 祖父 - noun meaning "grandfather" in Japanese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my grandfather"
• 水田 - The noun that means "rice field" in Japanese.
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "has"
• 所有 - verb that means "to possess" in Japanese
• しています - expression that indicates continuous action in the present, in this case, "has"

私の名前は山田です。

Watashi no namae wa Yamada desu

My name is Yamada.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 名前 - noun meaning "name"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 山田 - Japanese surname
• です - verb "to be" in present tense

私の名字は山田です。

Watashi no myouji wa Yamada desu

My last name is Yamada.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 名字 - noun that means "surname"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "is"
• 山田 - Japanese surname
• です - verb that indicates to be or to exist, equivalent to "is"

私の氏名は山田太郎です。

Watashi no shimei wa Yamada Taro desu

My name is Yamada Taro.

My name is Taro Yamada.

• 私の氏名 - "Watashi no shimei" means "my name" in Japanese.
• は - "wa" is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 山田太郎 - "Yamada Taro" is a Japanese personal name.
• です - "Desu" is a polite way to say "to be" or "to exist" in Japanese.