Translation and Meaning of: 庭 - niwa
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 庭 (niwa) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
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.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (庭) niwa
The Japanese word「庭」(niwa) refers to a "garden" or "courtyard" and is widely used in Japan to describe outdoor spaces designed for contemplation and tranquility. The etymology of「庭」dates back to ancient times, combining the kanji「广」which means 'broad' or 'extensive', and「廷」related to 'space' or 'internal area', forming the concept of a spacious and planned area. These characters reflect the cultural importance of gardens in Japanese tradition, both in residential contexts and in Buddhist and Shinto temples.
Japanese gardens, known as「庭園」(teien), are famous for their minimalist aesthetics and harmony with nature. More than just simple landscapes, they are an expression of the Japanese spirit, emphasizing elements such as water, rocks, sand, and carefully arranged plants. The creation and maintenance of a Japanese garden are regarded as forms of art, influenced by Zen principles and Shinto practices that seek to imitate aspects of nature in a reduced and symbolic form.
Historically, gardens in Japan have played significant roles. During the Heian period, for example, the 「庭」 were central parts of the architecture of imperial palaces and aristocratic residences. They were designed to reflect the power and beauty of nature, providing a space for meditation and rest. In the Edo period, gardens transformed into places for socialization and personal reflection, becoming increasingly accessible to the general public.
Main Types of「庭」
- **Karesansui** (Rock Garden): Characterized by the use of rocks and sand to symbolize natural elements like mountains and rivers.
- **Chaniwa** (Tea Garden): Designed especially for tea ceremonies, focusing on simplicity and functionality.
- **Tsuboniwa** (Courtyard Garden): Small urban gardens created in internal courtyards, often found in businesses and residences in the city.
In addition to being a space of beauty and contemplation, the 「庭」 is also an example of how Japan unites tradition and nature, highlighting the importance of these values in everyday life. Whether it’s a vast zen garden or a small urban patio, each 「庭」 offers a refuge from the bustling life, inviting people to connect with nature and reflect on their own human experience. The term continues to resonate in contemporary culture, preserving the respect for nature and the aesthetic appreciation that define the Japanese ethos.
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
Words related
Words with the same pronunciation: にわ niwa
How to Write in Japanese - (庭) niwa
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (庭) niwa:
Example Sentences - (庭) niwa
Below are some example sentences:
Watashi wa niwa ni hana wo ueru
I plant flowers in the garden.
I plant flowers in the garden.
- 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "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"
Katei wa taisetsu na mono desu
The family is very important.
The home is important.
- 家庭 - Means "family" in Japanese.
- は - 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".
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 that indicates the direct object of the sentence
- 駆け回っている - verb meaning to run around, conjugated in the present continuous
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 takes place
- 走っています - verb meaning to run, in the present continuous tense
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.
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 takes place
- 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 ser/estar in the present
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) - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful" in Japanese
- 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
Watashi wa niwa ni hana o makimashita
I planted flowers in the garden.
I sown flowers in the garden.
- 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun meaning "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"
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 meaning "I"
- は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
- 仕事 (shigoto) - noun meaning "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"
Watashi wa kōtei de tomodachi to asobimashita
I played with my friends in the school courtyard.
- 私 - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "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
Other words of the same type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
