稲

• Reading: いね
• Romaji: ine
• Kanji breakdown: 稲 (tō/ine) — rice plant; contains 禾 (grain) radical
• Pronunciation: /i.ne/

Meaning

Rice plant. The plant that produces rice, grown in paddies across Japan.

A noun specifically referring to the rice plant while it is growing, as opposed to 米 (kome, uncooked rice) or ご飯 (gohan, cooked rice/meal). Rice cultivation has been central to Japanese agriculture and culture for thousands of years. Common in words like 稲刈り (rice harvesting) and 稲穂 (ear of rice). Also a common element in surnames like 稲田 and 稲葉.

Examples

1. 秋になると稲が黄金色に変わる。 In autumn, the rice plants turn a golden color.
2. 今年は台風のせいで稲が倒れてしまった。 This year the rice plants got knocked down because of the typhoon.
3. 祖父は毎年稲を育てている。 My grandfather grows rice plants every year.

Usage Guide

Context: agriculture, rural life, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 稲 combines 禾 (grain plant) and a phonetic element. Rice has been cultivated in Japan since the Yayoi period, making 稲 one of the most culturally significant agricultural terms.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal