Translation and Meaning of: 丈 - take

The Japanese word 丈[たけ] may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting nuances for those learning the language. Whether to understand its basic meaning, its origin, or how it is used in everyday life, exploring this term can be a great way to expand knowledge about the Japanese language. In this article, we will unveil everything from practical use to cultural curiosities related to 丈[たけ], all based on reliable sources and accurate information.

If you have ever wondered how the Japanese use this word in different contexts or if there are any tips for memorizing it more easily, this text will help you. Additionally, understanding the relationship between the kanji and its reading can be useful for those who want to expand their vocabulary in a consistent manner. Let's start by exploring the central meaning of this word and how it fits into daily communication in Japan.

Meaning and use of 丈[たけ]

The term 丈[たけ] is often translated as "height" or "length," primarily referring to the vertical measurement of something or someone. However, its use goes beyond simple physical description. In broader contexts, this word can appear in expressions that involve everything from clothing to everyday objects, always with the idea of dimension or extension.

A common example is its use in clothing stores, where 丈 can indicate the length of a piece, such as in "スカートの丈" (skirt length). Additionally, in informal conversations, you might hear phrases like "彼は丈が高い" (he is tall), showing how the term naturally integrates into daily life. This versatility makes 丈[たけ] a useful word for those who want to communicate precisely in Japanese.

Origin and writing of the kanji 丈

The kanji 丈 has an interesting history, tracing back to its use in ancient Chinese, where it originally represented a measure of ten feet. Over time, its meaning evolved to encompass the idea of measurement or dimension more broadly. In Japan, this character was incorporated with the reading たけ, maintaining its relation to the concept of extension or size.

It's worth noting that 丈 can also be read as "jou" in certain contexts, especially in compound words or more formal terms. However, the reading たけ is the most common in everyday use. For those learning Japanese, recognizing this kanji in different situations can help broaden understanding of how ideograms are used in practice.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 丈[たけ] is to associate the kanji with something concrete, like the image of a ruler or measuring tape, since it is related to measurement. Another strategy is to practice with real examples, such as observing clothing tags or advertisements that use this word. The more contextualized the learning, the more natural the use of the term becomes.

Interestingly, 丈 also appears in Japanese proper names, both in surnames and given names, often carrying a sense of solidity or grandeur. This application reinforces how the Japanese language uses kanji to convey not only literal meanings but also symbolic and cultural values. For those who want to go beyond the basics, exploring these details can further enrich the study of the language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 高さ (takasa) - Height (vertical measurement)
• 長さ (nagasa) - Length (horizontal measurement)
• 身長 (shinchou) - Height of the body (height of a person)
• 身丈 (mitake) - Body length (body measurement)

丈

Romaji: take
Kana: たけ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: height; stature; length; measure; all (one has)

Meaning in English: height;stature;length;measure;all (one has)

Definition: A unit that indicates the length or height of something.

Example Sentences - (丈) take

See below some example sentences:

革は丈夫で長持ちする素材です。

Kawa wa jōbu de nagamochi suru sozai desu

Leather is a durable and long lasting material.

• 革 (kawa) - leather
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 丈夫 (joubu) - resistant, durable
• で (de) - connecting particle
• 長持ちする (nagamochi suru) - last a long time
• 素材 (sozai) - material
• です (desu) - polite way of being

丈夫な男性が道を歩いている。

Joufu na dansei ga michi wo aruite iru

A strong man is walking down the street.

A durable man is walking on the road.

• 丈夫な - adjective meaning "strong"
• 男性 - noun that means "man"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 道 - noun that means "path"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 歩いている - verb that means "is walking" in the present continuous

ナイロンは丈夫で使いやすい素材です。

Nairon wa jōbu de tsukaiyasui sozai desu

Nylon is a durable and easy-to-use material.

Nylon is a durable and easy-to-use material.

• ナイロン - nylon
• は - Topic particle
• 丈夫 - Resistant
• で - connecting particle
• 使いやすい - easy to use
• 素材 - Material
• です - Completion particle

このドアの取っ手はとても丈夫です。

Kono doa no totte wa totemo jōbu desu

The handle on this door is very sturdy.

The handle of this door is very durable.

• この - indicates that something is close or related to the speaker.
• ドア - door.
• の - possessive particle.
• 取っ手 - doorknob.
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is the door handle.
• とても - very.
• 丈夫 - resistant.
• です - verb ser/estar in the present tense.

このケースはとても丈夫です。

Kono kēsu wa totemo jōbu desu

This box is very resistant.

This case is very strong.

• この - indicates proximity, in this case, "this"
• ケース - means "case" or "box"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 丈夫 - adjective that means "resistant" or "strong"
• です - verb "to be" in the present affirmative

このテーブルは頑丈です。

Kono teeburu wa ganjou desu

This table is sturdy.

This table is sturdy.

• この - this
• テーブル - table
• は - Topic particle
• 頑丈 - Resistant
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

丈夫な男性が好きです。

Joufu na dansei ga suki desu

I like strong men.

I like durable men.

• 丈夫な - adjective meaning "strong, robust"
• 男性 - noun that means "man, masculine"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 好き - adjective that means "to like, to love"
• です - verb indicating the polite or formal form of the present tense

大丈夫ですか？

Daijoubu desu ka?

Are you okay?

OK?

• 大丈夫 - It means "it's all good" or "it's all right" in Japanese.
• です - is a politeness particle in Japanese, which is added to the end of a sentence to make it more formal.
• か - is an interrogative particle in Japanese, which is added to the end of a sentence to turn it into a question.

成る丈は人それぞれです。

Naru take wa hito sorezore desu

The length is individual.

• 成る丈 (narujou) - means "height that is reached" or "success that is achieved" and is a Japanese expression that refers to personal fulfillment.
• は (wa) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 人 (hito) - means "person" in Japanese.
• それぞれ (sorezore) - means "each" or "individually" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.