What does 竹 mean in Japanese?
竹 means “bamboo” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 竹 (bamboo), 竹林 (bamboo grove), and 竹馬 (stilts).
For learners, the key is to study 竹 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: チク (chiku)
Kun’yomi: たけ (take)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 竹 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | bamboo |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
竹 is not limited to one English translation. In 竹 (たけ), it means bamboo; in 竹林 (ちくりん), it points to bamboo grove; and in 竹馬 (たけうま), it is used for stilts. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 竹（たけ / take） — bamboo
- 竹林（ちくりん / chikurin） — bamboo grove
- 竹馬（たけうま / takeuma） — stilts
- 竹刀（しない / shinai） — bamboo sword
- 竹の子（たけのこ / takenoko） — bamboo shoot
- 竹細工（たけざいく / takezaiku） — bamboo craft
Example Sentences
-
庭に竹が生えています。
にわにたけがはえています。 / Niwa ni take ga haete imasu.
Bamboo is growing in the garden.
-
竹林の中は涼しいです。
ちくりんのなかはすずしいです。 / Chikurin no naka wa suzushii desu.
It is cool inside the bamboo grove.
-
竹の子ご飯を食べました。
たけのこごはんをたべました。 / Takenoko gohan o tabemashita.
I ate rice with bamboo shoots.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 竹 (たけ / take) because it keeps the core meaning of 竹 clear. Then add 竹林 and 竹馬 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 竹 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
竹 means “bamboo” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 竹, 竹林, and 竹馬.