Meaning
The kanji 穂 (ho, SUI) primarily means the "ear" or "head" of grain, like rice or wheat, where the kernels develop. This is its most fundamental and common meaning, often bringing to mind images of sprawling agricultural fields. Beyond this, it can also broadly signify a "spike" or "flower spike" of a plant, like those seen on lavender or many wildflowers. Beyond that, 穂 can also refer to the "tip" or "point" of various objects, such as the bristles of a brush or the sharp end of a spear. It can even mean a "tassel." Essentially, 穂 represents the part of a plant that bears fruit or flowers in a clustered, elongated form, or the narrow, pointed end of an object.
The etymology of 穂 provides a clear visual and conceptual connection to its meanings. It is composed of two main elements: the radical 禾 (nogi hen) on the left, and 恵 (kei, e) on the right, which functions primarily as a phonetic component. The radical 禾 is visually descriptive, depicting a stalk of grain with drooping ears, thereby directly signifying "grain" or "standing grain." This radical is a common sight in kanji related to agriculture, crops, and harvest.
The component 恵, while lending its sound for the on'yomi スイ, also carries meanings such as "favor" or "blessing." It's easy to see a metaphorical connection here: a rich harvest, represented by full ears of grain (穂), is certainly a blessing from nature. Historically, some etymological theories also connect the right-hand element to 彗 (broom or comet), where the image of a broom's clustered bristles or a comet's fanned tail could evoke the bundled, feathery appearance of an ear of grain. However, its primary role is as a phonetic indicator. Thus, 穂 combines the direct visual image of a grain stalk with a phonetic element, creating a character that clearly represents the fruitful head of a plant.
This N1 level kanji has 15 strokes. It is not assigned a specific grade level from 1 to 6 in the Japanese school system but is part of the Jōyō Kanji (common use kanji) list, indicating its importance for general literacy among advanced learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi of 穂 comes from its historical Chinese pronunciation, but its usage in modern Japanese is quite limited, typically appearing only in specific compound words.
スイ (SUI) — This on'yomi reading, スイ, is very rare in everyday Japanese. You'll almost exclusively encounter it in specialized botanical or scientific terminology, making it much less common than its kun'yomi reading.
花穂 (kasui) — flower spike; an inflorescence where small flowers are attached directly to a central stalk, such as in lavender or snapdragons.
麦穂 (bakusui) — ear of wheat. While 麦の穂 is the more common everyday expression, 麦穂 is generally reserved for more technical or literary agricultural contexts.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi of 穂 is essential for its use in native Japanese words and phrases, and is much more common and versatile than its on'yomi.
ほ (ho) — This is the primary kun'yomi reading and is widely used, either as a standalone character or within compound words, to refer to the ear of grain, a plant spike, or the tip of an object.
穂 (ho) — ear (of grain); head (of grain); spike; flower spike; tip. This is the direct, standalone meaning of the kanji.
稲穂 (inaho) — ear of rice. This is a very common and iconic term, particularly associated with autumn harvests.
穂先 (hosaki) — tip (of a spear, brush, fishing rod, etc.); point; head of grain. This term expands the meaning of 穂 to include the pointed ends of various tools or objects, not just agricultural products.
筆の穂 (fude no ho) — tip of a writing brush. Refers specifically to the bristles of a calligraphy brush.
Common Words & Compounds
Below are various words and compounds using the kanji 穂. They are organized by their nuanced meanings and common usage to illustrate its versatility in Japanese.
Agricultural & Botanical Terms
These terms directly relate to 穂's primary meaning: ears of grain (especially rice and wheat) and other plant spikes.
- 稲穂 (inaho) — ear of rice; rice plant. A quintessential image of Japanese autumn, signifying a bountiful harvest.
- 麦の穂 (mugi no ho) — ear of wheat. The grain-bearing part of a wheat plant, similar to a rice ear.
- 穂が出る (ho ga deru) — for grain to form ears/spikes; to come into ear. This describes an important stage of plant growth before harvest.
- 穂刈り (hogari) — ear harvesting. The act of cutting off the ears of grain, often referring to traditional methods.
- 実りの穂 (minori no ho) — ripe ears of grain; ears heavy with fruit. A poetic term symbolizing a successful and abundant harvest.
- 花穂 (kasui) — flower spike; flower head. Used botanically for inflorescences like those of lavender or salvia.
- 玉蜀黍の穂 (tōmorokoshi no ho) — ear of corn. Refers to the cob of corn.
Terms for Tips & Points
Beyond agriculture, 穂 also refers to the pointed, tufted, or flexible end of various objects, showing its broader meaning of "tip" or "point."
- 穂先 (hosaki) — tip (of a spear, brush, fishing rod, etc.); point; head of grain. A versatile term used for the very end of something elongated or pointed.
- 筆の穂 (fude no ho) — tip of a writing brush. Specifically refers to the soft bristles of a calligraphy or painting brush.
- 槍の穂 (yari no ho) — spearhead; tip of a spear. The sharp, piercing part of a spear.
- 釣り竿の穂先 (tsurizao no hosaki) — tip of a fishing rod. The sensitive, flexible end of a fishing rod that detects bites.
Figurative & Cultural Uses
穂 also appears in more specialized or culturally significant contexts, often related to harvest and offerings.
- 初穂 (hatsuho) — first fruits; first crop (especially rice); first offering of crops to a deity. A traditional term with religious or cultural significance, often presented at shrines.
- 稲穂祭 (inaho matsuri) — Rice Ear Festival. A festival celebrating the rice harvest, often held at Shinto shrines to express gratitude.
Example Sentences
秋には稲穂が頭を垂れる季節になります。
Aki ni wa inaho ga atama wo tareru kisetsu ni narimasu.
Autumn is the season when the ears of rice hang low.
麦の穂が風に揺れている様子は美しい。
Mugi no ho ga kaze ni yureteiru yōsu wa utsukushii.
The sight of wheat ears swaying in the wind is beautiful.
この植物は夏になると紫色の花穂をつけます。
Kono shokubutsu wa natsu ni naru to murasaki-iro no kasui wo tsukemasu.
This plant develops purple flower spikes in the summer.
書道の筆の穂は、使うほどに柔らかくなります。
Shodō no fude no ho wa, tsukau hodo ni yawarakaku narimasu.
The tip of a calligraphy brush becomes softer with use.
釣りの際は釣り竿の穂先に集中してください。
Tsuri no sai wa tsurizao no hosaki ni shūchū shite kudasai.
Please concentrate on the tip of your fishing rod when fishing.
神社では新米の初穂を神様に捧げます。
Jinja de wa shinmai no hatsuho wo kamisama ni sasagemasu.
At the shrine, they offer the first ears of new rice to the gods.
今年の収穫は稲穂が豊かなので期待できそうだ。
Kotoshi no shūkaku wa inaho ga yutaka nano de kitai deki sō da.
This year's harvest seems promising because the rice ears are abundant.
古来より、穂は豊穣と繁栄の象徴とされてきました。
Korai yori, ho wa hōjō to han'ei no shōchō to sarete kimashita.
Since ancient times, the ear of grain has been considered a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
細やかなこまやかな穂先で描かれた絵は、とても繊細だ。
Komayaka na hosaki de egakareta e wa, totemo sensai da.
The painting drawn with a fine brush tip is very delicate.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 穂, visualize its components and connect them to its main meaning. On the left side, we have 禾 (nogi hen), the radical that represents "grain" or "rice plant." This component is actually a pictograph of a stalk of grain with drooping ears, making its meaning very direct. On the right, we have 恵 (kei, e), which acts primarily as a phonetic component, giving the kanji its on'yomi of SUI. However, 恵 also carries meanings like "favor," "blessing," or "grace." You can create a mnemonic story: imagine a field of "grain" (禾) that has received abundant "blessings" (恵) from nature, resulting in plump, heavy "ears of grain" (穂) ready for harvest. Another approach is to think of 禾 as the rice plant itself, and the right part, though phonetic, can be loosely associated with the idea of a 'bundle' or 'cluster' of grains, similar to how a 'broom' (彗, which 恵 is sometimes related to in older forms) has many bristles bundled together. This combines the visual of the plant with the idea of its fruitful cluster, forming 穂.