節

• Reading: せつ
• Romaji: setsu
• Kanji breakdown: 節 (setsu/fushi) — joint, section, season, tune
• Pronunciation: /se.tsɯ/

Meaning

Section; season; tune; joint; knot. A point of division or a distinct segment.

A versatile noun with several meanings depending on context. As せつ: section of writing (第一節, first section), principle (節約, economy/saving). As ふし: musical melody/tune, knot in wood or bamboo, joint of the body. Common compounds: 季節 (kisetsu, season), 節約 (setsuyaku, saving), 節分 (setsubun, day before spring). The core meaning involves a point of division or turning.

Examples

1. 季節の変わり目は体調を崩しやすい。 That theory still lacks sufficient evidence.
2. この論文の第三節に詳しい説明がある。 A new theory was published and attracted a lot of attention.
3. 竹の節がきれいに並んでいる。 There are various theories, but nobody knows the right answer.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, seasons, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 節 combines 竹 (bamboo radical) and 即 (immediate), originally referring to the joints or nodes of bamboo, which divide the stem into sections.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal