実

• Reading: み
• Romaji: mi
• Kanji breakdown: 実 (mi/jitsu) — fruit, truth, reality
• Pronunciation: /mi/

Meaning

Fruit; seed; nut. Also means a good result or substance.

A noun with two main readings: み (mi) for the physical meaning of fruit/seed, and じつ (jitsu) for abstract meanings like truth or substance. As み, it refers to the edible fruit or seed of plants. Common in compounds like 木の実 (tree nut) and 実がなる (to bear fruit). The abstract sense appears in 実のある話 (a substantive conversation).

Examples

1. 秋になると庭の木に赤い実がなる。 In autumn, red berries grow on the tree in the yard.
2. この木の実は食べられますか。 Can you eat the fruit from this tree?
3. 努力が実を結んだと感じた。 I felt that my hard work had finally borne fruit.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, gardening, figurative speech

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 実 depicts a house (宀) filled with treasure (貫), symbolizing abundance and fruitfulness. Extended from physical fruit to abstract meanings of truth and reality.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal