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Kotomora

杉

cedar, cryptomeria

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • サン

Kun'yomi

  • すぎ

Meaning

杉 centers on a specific tall evergreen tree: the Japanese cedar, or cryptomeria. The meaning is concrete and botanical, without abstract extensions.

Most common words using 杉

20 of 46
  • 杉すぎ
    N2

    Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)

  • 小杉こすぎ

    small cedar

  • 杉内すぎうち

    too; extremely; so; super

  • 杉戸すぎど

    door made of cedar

  • 杉林すぎばやし

    cryptomeria forest

  • しだれ杉しだれすぎ

    weeping cedar

  • アメリカ杉アメリカすぎ

    redwood

  • ヒマラヤ杉ヒマラヤすぎ

    Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara); deodar

  • レバノン杉レバノンすぎ

    Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani); cedar of Lebanon; Turkish cedar; Taurus cedar

  • 一本杉いっぽんすぎ

    solitary Japanese cedar

  • 台杉だいすぎ

    coppicing-like technique used with cedar trees

  • 大杉苔おおすぎごけ

    bank haircup moss (Polytrichastrum formosum)

  • 小杉原こすぎはら

    thin Japanese paper (used as tissue during the Edo period)

  • 屋久杉やくすぎ

    Yakushima cedar (esp. one over 1000 years old)

  • 杉の葉壁蝨すぎのはだに

    sugi spider mite (Oligonychus hondoensis)

  • 杉並木すぎなみき

    avenue of cedars (cryptomeria)

  • 杉原紙すぎはらがみ

    sugihara paper; variety of traditional Japanese paper similar to hosho paper, but slightly thinner and softer

  • 杉叢すぎむら

    thicket of cedar trees

  • 杉垣すぎがき

    cryptomeria hedge

  • 杉平茸すぎひらたけ

    angel wing mushroom (Pleurocybella porrigens)

Explore all words using 杉 →

Study

Etymology

杉 combines 木 (tree) with 彡, which likely represents the fine, hair-like needles or drooping branches of the cryptomeria tree.

Meaning mnemonic

The tree 木 on the left is decorated with three fine strokes 彡 on the right, like the soft, needle-like foliage of a cedar.

Reading mnemonic

For サン, imagine the sun (サン) shining through the tall cedar branches: sun -> サン, and the tree stands in the light.