種

• Reading: たね
• Romaji: tane
• Kanji breakdown: 種 (tane/shu) — seed, kind, species; composed of 禾 (grain) + 重 (heavy)
• Pronunciation: /ta.ne/

Meaning

Seed; pip; kernel; stone. The reproductive unit of a plant, also used figuratively.

Has multiple readings: たね (seed, cause) and しゅ (species, type). As たね, it also means the source or cause of something (心配の種 = source of worry). In cooking, it refers to pits or seeds to remove from fruit.

Examples

1. 春になったら花の種をまきます。 When spring comes, I'll plant flower seeds.
2. スイカの種を庭に植えてみました。 I tried planting watermelon seeds in the garden.
3. りんごの種は食べないでください。 Please don't eat the apple seeds.

Usage Guide

Context: gardening, cooking, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 種 combines 禾 (grain radical) and 重 (heavy), suggesting the weighty part of a grain plant — the seed that carries the next generation.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal