Translation and Meaning of: 庭 - niwa

The Japanese word 庭[にわ] is a simple term, but it's full of meaning in the everyday life of Japan. If you are studying Japanese or are just curious about the language, understanding what it represents goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, use in sentences, and even how it appears in Japanese culture. You will discover why this word is so present in everyday vocabulary and how to memorize it effectively.

Meaning and translation of 庭[にわ]

庭 [にわ] is commonly translated as "garden" or "yard," but its meaning can vary depending on the context. While in Brazil a yard is often a simple space, in Japan, a 庭 can range from a traditional garden full of zen elements to a small area with ornamental plants. This cultural difference means that the word carries nuances that go beyond the literal translation.

It is worth noting that 庭 does not refer to public parks or large natural areas. It is associated with a domestic or private space, usually adjoining a house. If you visit Japan, you will notice that even in small apartments, many families maintain a 庭 on balconies or common areas of the building.

Origin and writing of the kanji 庭

The kanji 庭 is composed of two main radicals: the "grass" radical (艹) at the top and the "courtyard" radical (廷) at the bottom. This combination is not coincidental – it reinforces the idea of an open space with vegetation. The origin of the character dates back to ancient China, where it already represented cultivated or decorated outdoor areas.

In modern writing, 庭 is considered an intermediate level kanji, often learned in the early years of Japanese study. Its most common reading is にわ, but in compounds like 庭園[ていえん] (landscape garden), it takes the on'yomi reading "tei". This type of variation is common in words derived from Chinese.

Cultural usage and frequency in Japan

In Japan, traditional 庭 are more than just green spaces – they are artistic expressions that follow specific aesthetic principles. Stone gardens in Buddhist temples or the famous tea gardens are examples of how the word 庭 is connected to concepts like harmony and simplicity. Even in ordinary homes, there is special care in the arrangement of plants and decorative elements.

In terms of frequency, 庭 appears regularly in everyday Japanese. It is common to hear phrases like 庭を掃除する (to clean the garden) or 庭に花を植える (to plant flowers in the garden). Its presence in gardening manuals, decorating TV shows, and even in song lyrics shows how the term is rooted in the culture.

Tips for memorizing 庭[にわ]

An effective way to remember this word is to associate it with images of typical Japanese gardens. When you see the kanji 庭, think of elements like stones, lanterns, and well-pruned plants. This visual association helps to differentiate it from similar terms, such as 園[その] (park or public garden).

Another strategy is to practice with simple daily phrases, such as 庭で犬と遊ぶ (playing with the dog in the garden). Repeating these constructions out loud or writing them down on flashcards can speed up learning. Over time, the correct use of 庭 will become natural in your Japanese vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 庭園 (niwa-en) - Garden (large, formal)
• 庭先 (niwazaki) - Gate or entrance to the garden (area outside the garden)
• 庭中 (niwachu) - Inside the garden
• 庭座 (niwaza) - Situation or place in the garden (likely refers to a specific area within the garden)
• 庭園地 (niwa-enchi) - Area designated for a garden
• 庭先地 (niwazaki-chi) - Area in front of the garden gate
• 庭先広場 (niwazaki-hirobai) - Square in front of the garden gate
• 庭先芝生 (niwazaki-shibafu) - Lawn in front of the garden gate
• 庭先花壇 (niwazaki-kadan) - Flower bed in front of the garden gate
• 庭先庭園 (niwazaki-niwaen) - Garden located in front of the gate (may refer to smaller gardens)
• 庭先庭園地 (niwazaki-niwa-enchi) - Garden area located in front of the gate
• 庭先庭園芝生 (niwazaki-niwa-en-shibafu) - Garden lawn located in front of the gate
• 庭先庭園花壇 (niwazaki-niwa-en-kadan) - Flower bed in the garden located in front of the gate

庭

Romaji: niwa
Kana: にわ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: garden

Meaning in English: garden

Definition: A piece of land created around a building, etc., where plants such as trees and flowers are planted.

Example Sentences - (庭) niwa

See below some example sentences:

私は庭に花を植える。

Watashi wa niwa ni hana wo ueru

I plant flowers in the garden.

I plant flowers in the garden.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 庭 (niwa) - Japanese noun meaning "garden"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle that indicates the location of an action.
• 花 (hana) - Japanese noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 植える (ueru) - Japanese verb that means "to plant"

家庭は大切なものです。

Katei wa taisetsu na mono desu

The family is very important.

The home is important.

• 家庭 - Means "family" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 大切 - means "important" or "precious" in Japanese.
• な - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the adjectivization of the previous term.
• もの - means "thing" or "object" in Japanese.
• です - it is a polite way to state something in Japanese, equivalent to our "is" or "are".

すばしこい猫が庭を駆け回っている。

Subashikoi neko ga niwa wo kake mawatte iru

An agile cat is running through the garden.

A fast cat is running through the garden.

• すばしこい - adjective that means agile, fast
• 猫 - noun that means cat
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 庭 - noun that means garden
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 駆け回っている - verb meaning to run around, conjugated in the present continuous

でかい犬が庭で走っています。

Dekai inu ga niwa de hashitte imasu

A large dog is running in the garden.

• でかい - adjective meaning big, enormous
• 犬 - noun meaning dog
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 庭 - noun meaning garden, yard
• で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 走っています - verb meaning to run, in the present continuous tense

太い猫が庭で寝ています。

Futoi neko ga niwa de nete imasu

A fat cat is sleeping in the garden.

A thick cat is sleeping in the garden.

• 太い - Adjective that means "fat"
• 猫 - Noun that means "cat"
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 庭 - noun that means "garden"
• で - Particle that indicates the place where something happens
• 寝ています - Verb that means "is sleeping" in the polite form.

校庭で友達と遊ぶのが好きです。

Kōtei de tomodachi to asobu no ga suki desu

I like to play with my friends in the school courtyard.

I like to play with friends in the school courtyard.

• 校庭 (koutei) - schoolyard
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo/amiga
• と (to) - particle indicating company
• 遊ぶ (asobu) - play/play/have fun
• のが (noga) - particle indicating that the phrase is an expression of preference
• 好き (suki) - like
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

王子は美しい庭園を持っています。

Ōji wa utsukushii teien o motteimasu

The prince has a beautiful garden.

• 王子 (ou ōji) - means "prince" in Japanese
• は (ou wa) - topic particle in Japanese, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "prince"
• 美しい (ou utsukushii) - The adjective that means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Japanese is "美しい" (utsukushii).
• 庭園 (ou teien) - noun meaning "garden" or "park" in Japanese
• を (ou o) - direct object particle in Japanese, indicates that "garden" is the direct object of the action
• 持っています (ou motteimasu) - verb meaning "to have" or "to possess" in Japanese, in the present continuous tense

私は庭に花を蒔きました。

Watashi wa niwa ni hana o makimashita

I planted flowers in the garden.

I sown flowers in the garden.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 庭 (niwa) - noun that means "garden"
• に (ni) - locative particle that indicates where the action occurred
• 花 (hana) - noun meaning "flower"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 蒔きました (makimashita) - verb that means "I planted"

私は仕事と家庭を兼ねることができます。

Watashi wa shigoto to katei wo kaneru koto ga dekimasu

I can reconcile work and family.

I can serve as work and home.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 仕事 (shigoto) - noun that means "work"
• と (to) - particle indicating a connection between two things
• 家庭 (katei) - noun meaning "family" or "home"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 兼ねる (kaneru) - verb meaning "to reconcile" or "to bring together"
• ことができます (koto ga dekimasu) - expression that indicates ability or capacity, meaning "to be able to"

私は校庭で友達と遊びました。

Watashi wa kōtei de tomodachi to asobimashita

I played with my friends in the school courtyard.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 校庭 - Japanese noun that means "schoolyard"
• で - Japanese particle indicating the location where the action took place, in this case, "no pátio da escola" -> "in the school courtyard"
• 友達 - Japanese noun that means "friend(s)"
• と - Japanese particle that indicates company, in this case, "with friends"
• 遊びました - Japanese verb meaning "play/play", conjugated in the affirmative past