Translation and Meaning of: 髪 - kami
The Japanese word 髪[かみ] is one of those that frequently appears in everyday life and in language learning. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about the meaning and use of this expression, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore everything from translation and writing to cultural curiosities and practical tips for memorization. After all, understanding how the Japanese use this term in their daily lives can greatly enrich your vocabulary.
Moreover, 髪[かみ] is not just an isolated word – it carries meanings and uses that reflect aspects of Japanese culture. Whether in animes, daily conversations, or even in idiomatic expressions, knowing its context can make all the difference. Let's dive into these details and discover why this word is so relevant for those who want to master Japanese.
Meaning and translation of 髪[かみ]
The word 髪[かみ] means "hair." It is used to refer to strands of hair in general, whether on the human scalp or even in broader contexts, such as in animals or artistic representations. Unlike more specific terms like 前髪[まえがみ] (bangs) or 長髪[ながかみ] (long hair), 髪[かみ] is the generic and most common term.
It is worth noting that, although 髪 and 神 (which is also read as かみ) have the same pronunciation, their meanings are completely different. While 神 refers to "god" or "divinity," 髪 is directly related to hair. This homophony can cause confusion in some contexts, but the writing in kanji clarifies what the correct meaning is.
Origin and writing of the kanji 髪
The kanji 髪 is composed of the radical 髟, which is related to hair or fur, combined with the component 友. This radical appears in other kanjis that are linked to hair, such as 髭[ひげ] (beard) and 髷[まげ] (traditional Japanese hairstyle). This visual association helps identify that the meaning of the kanji is connected to something related to strands or hairs.
Interestingly, the kanji 髪 has a history that dates back to ancient China, where its original form represented the idea of "human hair." Over time, it was incorporated into Japanese and retained the same meaning. This continuity shows how certain basic concepts remain consistent even across different languages.
Cultural use and frequency in Japanese
In Japan, hair has an important cultural significance, whether in fashion, tradition, or even spirituality. For example, in historical periods like Edo, specific hairstyles denoted social status. Even today, expressions like 髪を切る[かみをきる] (to cut hair) or 髪をとかす[かみをとかす] (to comb hair) are common in daily life.
Moreover, 髪[かみ] frequently appears in animes, mangas, and dramas, often as a characterizing element of characters. Colorful hair or unique styles are trademarks of many iconic figures in Japanese pop culture. This makes the term even more relevant for those who consume Japanese media or want to delve deeper into the language.
Tips to memorize 髪[かみ]
An effective way to remember this word is to associate it with images or everyday situations. For example, think of someone combing their hair (髪をとかす) or a haircut (散髪[さんぱつ]). Creating flashcards with the kanji and usage examples can also help reinforce the term in memory.
Another strategy is to pay attention to the radical 髟 whenever you come across a kanji related to hair. This visual pattern makes it easier to recognize words like 髭[ひげ] (beard) and 髷[まげ] (hairstyle), consistently expanding your vocabulary. With practice, identifying 髪[かみ] in texts or conversations will become increasingly natural.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 髪の毛 (Kami no ke) - Hair strands
- 髪のうねり (Kami no uneri) - Hair wave
- 髪の流れ (Kami no nagare) - Flow or hair loss
- 髪の質感 (Kami no shitsukan) - Hair texture
- 髪の色 (Kami no iro) - Hair color
- 髪の長さ (Kami no nagasa) - Hair length
- 髪型 (Kamikata) - Hairstyle or hairdo
- 髪質 (Kamishitsu) - Hair quality
- 髪量 (Kamiryou) - Amount of hair
- 髪色 (Kami iro) - Hair color (synonym of 髪の色)
Related words
Romaji: kami
Kana: かみ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4
Translation / Meaning: hair
Meaning in English: hair
Definition: Fine and fibrous hair that grows on the head.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (髪) kami
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (髪) kami:
Example Sentences - (髪) kami
See below some example sentences:
Kanojo no kami wa makkuro de utsukushii desu
Her hair is black and beautiful.
- 彼女 - she
- の - of
- 髪 - hair
- は - (topic particle)
- 真っ黒 - pure black
- で - (connection particle)
- 美しい - beautiful
- です - (polite way of being)
Kanojo no kaminoke wa tareru
Her hair was falling.
Her hair was hanging.
- 彼女 - She
- の - Possessive particle
- 髪の毛 - Hair
- は - Topic particle
- 垂れていた - It was hanging
Kanojo no kami wa kaze ni tadayotte ita
Her hair was floating in the wind.
- 彼女 - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
- の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
- 髪 - means "hair" in Japanese
- は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 風 - means "wind" in Japanese
- に - particle that indicates action or direction
- 漂っていた - verb meaning "to float" or "to hover" in the past continuous tense
Kushi de kami wo tokasu
Put your hair with a comb
- 櫛 - an object used to comb hair
- で - a particle that indicates the means or tool used to perform an action
- 髪 - hair
- を - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action
- とかす - a verb that means "to comb"
Shiraga ga fuete kita
My white hair is increasing.
The gray hair increased.
- 白髪 - White hair
- が - subject particle
- 増えてきた - increased / are increasing
Mijikai kami no josei wa kawaii desu
Short -twirled women are cute.
- 短い (mijikai) - short
- 髪 (kami) - hair
- の (no) - Possession particle
- 女性 (josei) - woman
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 可愛い (kawaii) - pretty, cute
- です (desu) - verb to be, to stay
Watashi wa kami o tabanemashita
I tied my hair.
I used my hair.
- 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
- は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 髪 - noun that means "hair" in Japanese.
- を - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
- 束ねました - verb meaning "to tie into a bun" in Japanese, conjugated in the past tense
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
