房
Meanings
1
Used for a hanging cluster of flexible strands, such as hair, threads, or decorative tassels.
She twisted a tuft of her hair around her finger.
The curtain tassels are swaying in the wind.
2
Used for a naturally growing cluster of fruit or flowers, such as grapes or wisteria. Also used as a counter.
I bought a big bunch of bananas at the supermarket.
The clusters of wisteria flowers are swaying in the wind.
3
Used for a separable segment of a fruit like a tangerine or orange. Also used as a counter.
I took one segment of the tangerine and ate it.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉の房a tuft/cluster of something (e.g. hair, tassels)
She cut off a tuft of her hair.
- 一房の〈物〉one bunch of fruit (e.g. grapes)
I bought a bunch of grapes at the supermarket.
- 〈物〉を房ごと〈動詞〉to do something to a whole bunch/cluster of fruit at once
I washed and ate the grapes bunch and all.