Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

穂首 (ほくび) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

穂ほ首くび

ほ

く

び

Meanings

1

noun

ear of rice; head of a rice plant; spike

Refers specifically to the grain-bearing part at the top of a rice stalk. Used in agricultural contexts.

穂ほ首くびが黄こ金がね色いろに実みのっている。
The ears of rice are ripening to a golden color.

Kanji

穂ear, ear (grain), head
首neck, counter for songs and poems

Etymology

Compound of 穂 (ho, 'ear of grain') and 首 (kubi, 'neck'), referring to the neck-like part of the rice plant that bears the grain. The reading ほくび is a straightforward combination of the two elements.