also: ようりゅう
willow (any tree of genus Salix)
General term for willow trees. In everyday use, often refers to the weeping willow or other common species.
There is a big willow tree by the river.
weeping willow (Salix babylonica)
Only with reading やなぎ / ヤナギ
Specifically the weeping willow. Often distinguished from other willows by its drooping branches. Reading restricted to やなぎ or ヤナギ.
See also: 枝垂れ柳
Weeping willows are planted along the edge of the pond in the park.
They planted willows along the riverbank.
The willow's branches droop down to the surface of the water.
The willow is swaying in the wind.
柳 is the general word for a willow tree, while 青柳 specifically describes a willow that has put out fresh green buds in spring.
origin; source; beginning · basis; base; foundation; root · cause; source of trouble · ingredient; base; mix; stock · one's side; one's place; near someone · capital; principal; cost price · base of a plant; root; tree trunk · part held in the hand; handle end · first three lines of a waka · counter for plants or trees · counter for falcons
riverside willow; rosegold pussy willow · Salix gilgiana (willow species) · high-quality coarse tea
knotgrass; Polygonum aviculare
sashimi knife; yanagiba
lacquered sake barrel
slim waist; willowy figure · waist of a willow tree
water pepper; Persicaria hydropiper
fireweed; rosebay willowherb
Berchemia racemosa; a species of buckthorn
rosegold pussy willow
Japanese aspen
Standard kanji spelling for willow.
Katakana spelling often used in biological contexts or for emphasis.
Compound form with reading ようりゅう; mainly used in botanical or literary contexts.
Alternate kanji for willow; less common than 柳.
The kanji 柳 is a phono-semantic compound: the tree radical 木 plus the phonetic component 卯 (historically related to 'willow'). The reading やなぎ is of native Japanese origin.