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.
バラの茎にはとげがある。
Rose stems have thorns.
Used in compound words or more technical contexts, such as 地下茎 (underground stem).
地下茎で増える植物もある。
Some plants spread by underground stems.
The long, thin part of something like a wine glass, pipe, or watch.
Refers to the stem of a wine glass, the stem of a pipe, or the winding stem of a watch. It can also mean 'axis' or 'shaft'.
ワイングラスの軸を持ってください。
Please hold the wine glass by the stem.
Used for the stem of a tobacco pipe (パイプの柄).
彼はパイプの柄をくわえた。
He held the pipe stem in his mouth.
The part of a word to which inflectional affixes are added.
The standard linguistic term for 'stem' in Japanese grammar.
動詞の語幹に「ます」をつけると丁寧形になる。
Attaching 'masu' to the verb stem creates the polite form.
The source or beginning of a problem, idea, etc.
Means 'root' or 'source', often used for abstract things like problems or ideas.
問題の根源を探る必要がある。
We need to find the stem of the problem.
More commonly means 'cause', but can be used in contexts like 'stem of the issue'.
To come from a particular source or origin.
A common pattern meaning 'to stem from' or 'to originate from'.
この伝統は古代中国に由来する。
This tradition stems from ancient China.
Means 'to arise from' or 'to stem from', often for problems or situations.
誤解から生じた問題だ。
It's a problem that stems from a misunderstanding.
The vertical line in musical notation.
Technical term in music for the stem of a note.
符尾は音符の縦線です。
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.
船首材は船の前方の構造材だ。
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).
この問題の原因は何ですか？
What is the stem of this problem?