池

• Reading: いけ
• Romaji: ike
• Kanji breakdown: 池 (chi/ike) — pond
• Pronunciation: /i.ke/

Meaning

Pond. A small, still body of water, often found in parks and gardens.

A noun referring to ponds. Japanese gardens frequently feature ponds as central design elements, often stocked with koi fish (鯉, koi). Ponds in parks and temple grounds are common gathering spots. Smaller than 湖 (mizuumi, lake), a 池 is typically man-made or naturally small.

Examples

1. 公園の池に魚がいます。 There are fish in the park pond.
2. 池の周りに花がたくさん咲いています。 Many flowers are blooming around the pond.
3. お寺の池でカメを見ました。 I saw a turtle in the temple pond.

Usage Guide

Context: parks, gardens, nature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 池 combines the water radical 氵 with 也, suggesting a contained body of water. Used since ancient times to describe both natural and man-made ponds.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal