枯れ木
also: こぼく
Meanings
1
dead tree; withered tree
A tree that has died and dried up, often still standing.
After the forest fire, only dead trees remained.
2
leafless tree; bare tree
A tree that has lost its leaves, typically in winter; not necessarily dead.
Bare trees line the park in winter.
Usage patterns
- 枯れ木が倒れるfor a dead tree to fall over
A dead tree fell over in the strong wind.
- 枯れ木を切るto cut down a dead/withered tree
I had the dead tree in the garden cut down.
- 枯れ木のような〈人〉a person as gaunt/withered-looking as a bare tree
The old man had hands as gaunt as a withered tree.
Expressions
- 枯れ木も山の賑わいhalf a loaf is better than none; even a dead tree adds to the interest of a mountain