蕉
banana, plantain
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
蕉 centers on the banana plant and its fruit, including plantains. The character is used specifically for these tropical plants.
Most common words using 蕉
- 芭蕉ばしょう
Japanese fiber banana (Musa basjoo)
- アメリカ水芭蕉アメリカみずばしょう
yellow skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanum)
- 実芭蕉みばしょう
banana
- 扇芭蕉おうぎばしょう
traveller's tree (Ravenala madagascariensis); traveller's palm
- 水芭蕉みずばしょう
Asian skunk cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcense)
- 甘蕉かんしょう
banana
- 芭蕉扇ばしょうせん
palm-leaf fan
- 芭蕉梶木ばしょうかじき
Indo-Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)
- 蓬莱蕉ほうらいしょう
Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa); split-leaf philodendron; cerimen; Mexican breadfruit; fruit salad plant
- 蕉葉しょうよう
banana leaf
- 蕉門しょうもん
disciple of Basho
- 蕉風しょうふう
correct style in a haiku (like Basho's)
- 香蕉こうしょう
banana
Study
Etymology
蕉 combines the plant radical 艹 with 焦, which likely contributes the sound ショウ. The character was used for banana and plantain plants.
Meaning mnemonic
The grass radical 艹 sits above 焦, like a banana plant growing tall. Picture a banana tree with its large leaves spreading out from the top.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, imagine a banana show where the fruit is the star: show -> ショウ, and the banana plant takes center stage.