Translation guide
The English word 'stem' has multiple distinct meanings. This guide covers the main uses: the main stalk of a plant, the slender part of a wine glass or pipe, a word's base form in linguistics, and the root or origin of something. It also touches on the verb meaning 'to originate from' and a few niche uses.
The main stalk of a plant that supports leaves, flowers, or fruit.
The most common and general word for the stem or stalk of a plant.
Rose stems have thorns.
Used in compound words or more technical contexts, such as 地下茎 (underground stem).
Some plants spread by underground stems.
The long, thin part of something like a wine glass, pipe, or watch.
The part of a word to which inflectional affixes are added.
The standard linguistic term for 'stem' in Japanese grammar.
Attaching 'masu' to the verb stem creates the polite form.
The source or beginning of a problem, idea, etc.
To come from a particular source or origin.
The vertical line in musical notation.
Technical term in music for the stem of a note.
The stem is the vertical line of a note.
The curved timber at the bow of a ship.
Nautical term for the stem of a ship.
The stem is a structural timber at the front of the ship.
茎 (kuki) specifically means plant stem. Using it for a wine glass or pipe stem would be incorrect. Use 軸 (jiku) or 柄 (e) instead.
English 'stem from' is not directly translated with a single verb. Use patterns like 〜に由来する (ni yurai suru) or 〜から生じる (kara shōjiru).
He held the pipe stem in his mouth.
この問題の原因は何ですか？
What is the stem of this problem?