Translation guide
A plant that completes its life cycle in two years, typically growing leaves the first year and flowering the second.
Referring to a plant that lives for two years, usually flowering in the second year.
Standard botanical term for a biennial plant. Used in gardening and biology contexts.
Saying that a plant is biennial, or describing its two-year life cycle.
Means 'biennial plant' using 二年生 (two-year life). Common in everyday speech.
二年草 is the standard term for biennial plants. 越年草 is sometimes used in agriculture and can include plants that overwinter but may not strictly be biennials. In most contexts, 二年草 is preferred.
パセリは二年草です。
Parsley is a biennial plant.
Literally 'overwintering plant'. Often used interchangeably with 二年草, but can also include winter annuals. More common in agricultural contexts.
This biennial plant is resistant to cold.
Is this a biennial plant?
Descriptive phrase: 'a plant that completes its life in two years'. Useful when explaining the concept.
Plants that complete their life in two years are called biennials.
二年草 and 越年草 are often used interchangeably.