Translation and Meaning of: 球 - tama

The Japanese word 球[たま] is a simple term, but with varied uses in everyday life and in Japanese culture. If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the meaning and origin of this word, this article will explore its different aspects, from writing to the context in which it appears. Additionally, we will see how to memorize it effectively and some curiosities that make it interesting for language learners.

The term 球[たま] is often associated with round objects, such as balls and spheres, but its use goes beyond the literal sense. In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you can find practical examples and sentences that help you better understand how this word is applied in real-life situations. Let's dive into the details and discover what makes 球[たま] so relevant in the Japanese language.

Meaning and use of 球[たま]

The primary meaning of 球[たま] is "ball" or "sphere," referring to round objects like tennis balls, marbles, or even planets. However, depending on the context, it can appear in expressions that go beyond the physical meaning. For example, in sports, 球[たま] is often used to refer to the ball in games like baseball or soccer.

Additionally, the word can be found in compound terms, such as 地球[ちきゅう] (Earth) or 野球[やきゅう] (baseball). This versatility makes 球[たま] a useful word for those learning Japanese, as it appears in various everyday situations. Its usage is more common in informal contexts, but it can also appear in more formal registers, depending on the expression.

Origin and writing of the kanji 球

The kanji 球 is composed of the radical 王 (king) and the component 求 (to seek). Although its origin is not directly related to these meanings, the combination helps to distinguish it from other similar kanjis. The reading たま is one of the kun'yomi (Japanese readings), while the most common on'yomi (Chinese reading) is きゅう, as in 野球[やきゅう].

An interesting fact is that the kanji 球 can also be used in words that do not necessarily refer to something round, such as 球体[きゅうたい] (geometric sphere). This shows how the Japanese language makes use of kanjis to create specific terms in different fields, from sports to astronomy.

Tips for memorizing 球[たま]

An effective way to memorize 球[たま] is to associate it with round objects from everyday life. For example, when you see a ball, think of the word たま and repeat it mentally. Another tip is to create flashcards with images of spheres and write the kanji 球 next to it, reinforcing the visual connection between the word and its meaning.

Furthermore, practicing with simple sentences can help reinforce the correct use of the word. Expressions like "ボールを投げる" (throw the ball) or "地球は丸い" (the Earth is round) are examples that show 球[たま] in context. The Suki Nihongo dictionary offers various ready-made sentences for study, making it easier for those who want to master this word.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ボール (bōru) - Ball, generally used in sports.
• 玉 (tama) - Sphere can refer to a ball, pearl or a decorative ball.
• 球体 (kyūtai) - A spherical body refers to a three-dimensional object in the shape of a sphere.
• 球状 (kyūjō) - In spherical form, it describes the shape of an object that is spherical.
• 球形 (kyūkei) - Spherical shape emphasizes the spherical geometry of an object.
• 球面 (kyūmen) - Spherical surface refers to the outer surface of a sphere.

球

Romaji: tama
Kana: たま
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: globe; ball; ball

Meaning in English: globe;sphere;ball

Definition: A way in which an object is spherical.

Example Sentences - (球) tama

See below some example sentences:

人類は地球上で最も進化した生物の一つです。

Jinrui wa chikyūjō de mottomo shinka shita seibutsu no hitotsu desu

Humanity is one of the most evolved creatures on earth.

Humanity is one of the most evolved creatures on earth.

• 人類 (jinrui) - Human race
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 地球上 (chikyuu jou) - in the land
• で (de) - Location particle
• 最も (mottomo) - the most
• 進化した (shinka shita) - evolved
• 生物 (seibutsu) - Living being
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 一つ (hitotsu) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です (desu) - Verb "to be"

ナイターは夜の野球の試合を指します。

Naitā wa yoru no yakyū no shiai o sashimasu

The night game refers to a baseball game at night.

• ナイター - Japanese term that refers to nighttime baseball games
• 夜 - night
• 野球 - baseball
• 試合 - game
• 指します - refers to

棒は野球の道具です。

Bou wa yakyuu no dougu desu

The stick is baseball equipment.

The stick is a baseball tool.

• 棒 - Stick
• は - Topic particle
• 野球 - baseball
• の - Possession particle
• 道具 - tool
• です - é (verb to be in the polite form)

眼球は人間の重要な器官です。

Gankyū wa ningen no jūyōna kikan desu

Eye is an important human organ.

• 眼球 (gankyuu) - Eye
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 人間 (ningen) - Human
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 重要な (juuyouna) - important
• 器官 (kikan) - organ
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

衛星は宇宙から地球を観測するために使われます。

Eisei wa uchuu kara chikyuu wo kansoku suru tame ni tsukawaremasu

Sateles are used to observe the land of space.

• 衛星 (eisei) - satellite
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 宇宙 (uchuu) - space
• から (kara) - of
• 地球 (chikyuu) - Earth
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 観測する (kansoku suru) - observe
• ために (tame ni) - for
• 使われます (tsukawaremashita) - é usado

赤道は地球の中心に近い場所にあります。

Chikyuu no chuushin ni chikai basho ni arimasu

The equator is located near the center of the Earth.

• 赤道 - Ecuador
• は - Topic particle
• 地球 - Earth
• の - Possessive particle
• 中心 - Center
• に - Location particle
• 近い - Next
• 場所 - Place
• に - Location particle
• あります - Is