Translation and Meaning of: 植物 - shokubutsu

The Japanese word 植物[しょくぶつ] is essential for anyone studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. It describes a universal concept but carries interesting nuances in the Japanese language. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and everyday usage, as well as curiosities that help to understand how the Japanese perceive the natural world. If you want to truly learn Japanese, the Suki Nihongo dictionary is a great tool to deepen your knowledge.

Meaning and translation of 植物

植物[しょくぶつ] means "plant", encompassing everything from small herbs to large trees. The word is composed of two kanji: 植 (shoku), which refers to planting or cultivating, and 物 (butsu), which indicates thing or object. Together, they form the concept of "cultivated thing," reflecting the human relationship with nature.

Unlike more specific terms like 花 (hana - flower) or 木 (ki - tree), 植物 is a generic term used in scientific, educational, and everyday contexts. For example, in phrases like "植物を育てる" (cultivating plants) or "植物の観察" (plant observation), its broad use is evident.

Origin and components of kanjis

The etymology of 植物 traces back to classical Chinese, where the characters were already used with a similar meaning. The kanji 植 combines the radical 木 (tree) with 直 (correct), suggesting the idea of "fixing in the ground." On the other hand, 物, one of the most common kanjis in Japanese, originally represented physical and material objects.

It is worth noting that 植物 is not an ancient word - it emerged during the Edo period (1603-1868) to differentiate plants from other living beings. Before that, the Japanese used more generic terms such as 草木 (kusa-ki - herbs and trees). This evolution shows how scientific classification influenced the language.

Cultural use and frequency in Japanese

In contemporary Japan, 植物 frequently appears in textbooks, documentaries, and ecological discussions. A survey by the National Institute for Japanese Language shows that it is among the 3,000 most commonly used words in the language, being especially common in academic and journalistic contexts.

Culturally, the word carries a positive connotation, associated with well-being and harmony. Many Japanese practice 植物療法 (plant therapy) or decorate their homes with 観葉植物 (ornamental plants). This appreciation reflects Shintoísmo and Buddhism, which emphasize the connection between humans and nature.

Tips for memorizing 植物

To solidify the word, associate the kanjis with concrete images: imagine 植 as a hand planting (the bottom stroke looks like a shovel) and 物 as an object on a shelf. Another technique is to create flashcards with photos of plants and the term 植物 written prominently.

According to studies on language acquisition, concrete words like 植物 are easier to memorize when linked to sensory experiences. How about visiting a Japanese botanical garden or growing a small plant while studying? This multisensory immersion accelerates learning.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 植物 (shokubutsu) - Plant, a general term for organisms in the plant kingdom.
• 植えるもの (ueru mono) - Something that can be planted; refers to something that can be cultivated.
• 草木 (soumoku) - Plants and trees; it generally refers to vegetation in general.
• 植え物 (uemono) - Planted plant; references to cultivated specimens.
• 植え込み (uekomi) - Plantings, such as in planters or flower beds; the act of planting in groups.
• 植生 (shokusei) - Plant community in a habitat; the native vegetation of a place.
• 植被 (shokei) - Vegetation; similar to 植生, but often used in broader contexts.
• 植栽 (shokusai) - Planting; the act of planting specifically in a controlled environment.
• 植物相 (shokubutsusou) - Composition of plant species in a specific area.
• 植物界 (shokubutsukai) - Plant kingdom; biological classification that includes all plants.

植物

Romaji: shokubutsu
Kana: しょくぶつ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: plant; vegetation

Meaning in English: plant;vegetation

Definition: A classification of organisms consisting of structures such as leaves, stems, and roots. Obtain nutrients through photosynthesis and release oxygen.

Example Sentences - (植物) shokubutsu

See below some example sentences:

養分は植物の成長に必要な栄養素です。

Yōbun wa shokubutsu no seichō ni hitsuyōna eiyōso desu

Nutrition is a necessary nutrient for plant growth.

• 養分 (Younbun) - nutriente
• は (wa) - marcador de tópico
• 植物 (shokubutsu) - planta
• の (no) - possessive particle
• 成長 (seichou) - growth
• に (ni) - indicando o propósito ou objetivo de uma ação
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessário
• な (na) - adjetivo auxiliar
• 栄養素 (eiyousou) - nutriente
• です (desu) - copula

植物は自然の美しさを表現する。

Shokubutsu wa shizen no utsukushisa o hyōgen suru

Plants express the beauty of nature.

Plants express the beauty of nature.

• 植物 (shokubutsu) - plant
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自然 (shizen) - nature
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 美しさ (utsukushisa) - beauty
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 表現する (hyougen suru) - express

鉢には植物を植えました。

Hachi ni wa shokubutsu wo uemashita

I planted a plant in the vase.

I planted plants in the pan.

• 鉢 (hachi) - It means "vase" or "pot" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the object of an action, in this case, "no"
• は (wa) - a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the vase"
• 植物 (shokubutsu) - means "plant" in Japanese
• を (wo) - a particle indicating the direct object of the action, in this case, "planted"
• 植えました (utaemashita) - a polite past form of the verb "plantar"

草は緑色の美しい植物です。

Kusa wa midoriiro no utsukushii shokubutsu desu

The grass is a beautiful green plant.

• 草 (kusa) - grass
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 緑色 (midori iro) - green color
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
• 植物 (shokubutsu) - plant
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present