露

• Reading: つゆ
• Romaji: tsuyu
• Kanji breakdown: 露 (ro/tsuyu) — dew, expose, reveal
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.jɯ/

Meaning

Dew; morning moisture that forms on surfaces overnight.

A noun referring to the water droplets that condense on cool surfaces in the early morning. Rich in poetic and literary associations: 朝露 (asatsuyu, morning dew), 露のように (tsuyu no you ni, fleeting like dew). In classical poetry, dew symbolises the transience of life. Also read as つゆ in the expression 露知らず (tsuyu shirazu, not knowing at all) and related to 梅雨 (tsuyu, rainy season).

Examples

1. 朝、庭の草に露がついていた。 In the morning, there was dew on the grass in the garden.
2. 露のように儚い命だと昔の歌人は詠んだ。 Ancient poets wrote that life is fleeting like dew.
3. 秋になると朝露が多くなる。 In autumn, there tends to be more morning dew.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, poetry, seasons

Tone: poetic

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 露 combines 雨 (rain) and 路 (path), evoking moisture found along the way. In Japanese aesthetics, dew is a classic symbol of impermanence (無常, mujou).

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal