Meaning
The kanji 茂 (モ, しげる) means to grow thickly, be luxuriant, dense, or overgrown. It often describes vegetation—like trees, bushes, or grass—growing vigorously and closely. Think of a dense forest or a bushy garden: that lush, abundant feeling is exactly what 茂 conveys. It vividly portrays a landscape brimming with life and verdant abundance.
Etymologically, 茂 is an interesting character. As a phono-semantic compound, it combines a semantic (meaning) component with a phonetic (sound) component. The top part, 艹 (くさかんむり), is the grass radical, clearly showing its connection to plants and vegetation. The bottom part, 戊 (ぼう / つちのえ), provides the 'モ' sound, serving as the phonetic component. While 戊 means "fifth in the Ten Heavenly Stems" or "halberd," its main role here is auditory. However, some interpretations link its strong, weapon-like shape to vigorous, unstoppable growth pushing upwards. This reinforces the imagery of dense, powerful vegetation.
Visually, the grass radical at the top immediately places it in the context of plant life. The robust structure beneath suggests strong, grounded growth, emphasizing density and vitality. Seeing 茂 should bring to mind a landscape bursting with life—perhaps a dense jungle or a thriving garden where plants are spreading profusely.
With 8 strokes, this kanji is an advanced Joyo kanji, usually seen at the N1 JLPT level. It isn't assigned a specific elementary school grade, which points to its higher frequency and importance in general Japanese literacy, especially when describing natural environments or flourishing states.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 茂 is モ.
モ (mo) — You'll find this reading in many compound words, often relating to prosperity, density, or flourishing states, especially concerning plant life. When used in compounds, it sounds more formal and academic than the colloquial Kun'yomi.
繁茂 (hanmo) — lush growth, luxuriant growth, overgrowth, thriving. This term describes vegetation growing abundantly and thickly, often becoming quite dense. Example: 熱帯雨林は繁茂している。 (Nettai urin wa hanmo shite iru. - The tropical rainforest is luxuriant.)
茂林 (morin) — a thick forest, a dense wood. This compound specifically refers to a forest or wooded area with particularly dense trees and undergrowth. Example: その山には茂林が広がっている。 (Sono yama ni wa morin ga hirogatte iru. - A dense forest stretches across that mountain.)
鬱茂 (utsumo) — dense growth, luxuriant growth. This term often suggests a density so profound it might feel dark, gloomy, or even oppressive, especially for overgrown areas. Example: 古い庭は木々が鬱茂していた。 (Furui niwa wa kigi ga utsumo shite ita. - The old garden was densely overgrown with trees.)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
For 茂, the Kun'yomi are しげ-る and しげ-み. These are more common in everyday Japanese, offering direct, descriptive words for dense growth.
しげ-る (shigeru) — This is the most common Kun'yomi, an intransitive verb meaning "to grow thick," "to be luxuriant," or "to be overgrown." It describes vegetation's state or action, frequently used for gardens, forests, or any thriving natural setting.
茂る (shigeru) — to grow thick, to be luxuriant, to be overgrown. This is the base verb form. Example: 庭の草木が茂ってきた。 (Niwa no kusaki ga shigette kita. - The plants in the garden have grown thick.)
木が茂る (ki ga shigeru) — trees grow thick. This common phrase describes trees with full, dense foliage. Example: 夏の間に公園の木々がすっかり茂った。 (Natsu no aida ni kōen no kigi ga sukkari shigetta. - The park's trees grew completely thick during the summer.)
草が茂る (kusa ga shigeru) — grass grows thick. Used for dense growth of grass or weeds. Example: 手入れをしないと、あっという間に草が茂る。 (Teire wo shinai to, attoiuma ni kusa ga shigeru. - If you don't maintain it, the grass will grow thick in no time.)
しげ-み (shigemi) — This noun refers to "a thicket," "a bush," or "dense growth." It pinpoints a specific area of particularly dense vegetation, often providing cover.
茂み (shigemi) — a thicket, a bush, dense growth. This noun is common in descriptions of nature and for hiding places. Example: 鳥が茂みの中に隠れた。 (Tori ga shigemi no naka ni kakureta. - The bird hid in the thicket.)
草茂み (kusashigemi) — a thicket of grass. A more specific term for a dense patch of grass. Example: 子供たちは草茂みの中でかくれんぼをした。 (Kodomo-tachi wa kusashigemi no naka de kakurenbo wo shita. - The children played hide-and-seek in the grassy thicket.)
Common Words & Compounds
Below are various words and compounds incorporating 茂, categorized by usage and nuance. They demonstrate the kanji's versatility in describing natural abundance and density:
Describing Growth & Natural States:
繁茂 (hanmo) — lush growth, luxuriant growth, overgrowth, thriving. This is a frequently used term for describing abundant vegetation growth, often with positive connotations of health and vitality.
鬱茂 (utsumo) — dense growth, luxuriant growth. While similar to 繁茂, this term often implies an overwhelming or even gloomy density, suggesting an area that might be too overgrown.
茂林 (morin) — a thick forest, dense woods. This specific term refers to a forest where trees grow so closely it's hard to pass through.
生い茂る (oishigeru) — to grow thick, to grow luxuriantly, to grow wild. This verb emphasizes natural, spontaneous, and often unrestrained growth, especially when plants spread without cultivation.
草木が茂る (kusaki ga shigeru) — trees and plants grow thick. A descriptive phrase often used for the general state of vegetation in an area.
Places & Locations:
茂み (shigemi) — a thicket, a bush, dense growth. This noun is very common for natural landscapes and places where small animals might hide.
草茂み (kusashigemi) — a thicket of grass, dense grassy area. A more specific descriptor for dense areas of grass.
森茂る (morishigeru) — a thriving forest. Often found in poetic or literary contexts, describing a lush, abundant forest.
Verbal Forms:
茂る (shigeru) — to grow thick, to be luxuriant, to be overgrown. This is the fundamental verb, the most direct way to express the kanji's core meaning in Japanese.
茂らせる (shigeraseru) — to make something grow thick, to let something grow luxuriantly (transitive form). Less common, but used when one actively causes or allows growth.
Names (common in family names and place names):
茂 (Shigeru) — A very common traditional male given name in Japan, embodying positive connotations of growth and vitality.
徳茂 (Tokushige) — A common Japanese surname, often evoking enduring prosperity or virtue.
茂's versatility lets it describe not only the physical state of plants but also, metaphorically, the flourishing condition of other things. However, its primary and most direct association remains with vegetation.
Example Sentences
庭の草木が夏の間、茂り放題になった。
Niwa no kusaki ga natsu no aida, shigeri-hōdai ni natta.
The plants in the garden became completely overgrown during the summer.
深い森の中には、手入れされていない茂みが広がっていた。
Fukai mori no naka ni wa, teire sareteinai shigemi ga hirogatte ita.
In the deep forest, an untended thicket spread out.
この地域の植物は、雨期になると一気に繁茂する。
Kono chiiki no shokubutsu wa, uki ni naru to ikki ni hanmo suru.
The plants in this region grow luxuriantly all at once during the rainy season.
彼は背の低い茂みに身を隠して、獲物を待った。
Kare wa se no hikui shigemi ni mi wo kakushite, emono wo matta.
He hid himself in the low bushes and waited for his prey.
都会の中にも、自然が茂る公園がある。
Tokai no naka ni mo, shizen ga shigeru kōen ga aru.
Even in the city, there are parks where nature grows abundantly.
数年間放置された庭は、雑草が生い茂っていた。
Sūnenkan hōchi sareta niwa wa, zassō ga oishigette ita.
The garden, left unattended for several years, was overgrown with weeds.
真夏の茂林は日差しを遮り、涼しい日陰を作っていた。
Manatsu no morin wa hizashi wo saegiri, suzushii hikage wo tsukutte ita.
The dense summer forest blocked the sunlight, creating cool shade.
古い神社の周りは、巨大な木々が鬱茂しており、神秘的な雰囲気だった。
Furui jinja no mawari wa, kyodai na kigi ga utsumo shite ori, shinpiteki na fun'iki datta.
The area around the old shrine was densely overgrown with giant trees, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
彼の事業は順調に茂り、地域経済に貢献している。
Kare no jigyō wa juncho ni shigeri, chiiki keizai ni kōken shite iru.
His business is flourishing steadily, contributing to the local economy.
Memory Tip
To remember 茂, consider its two main components and visualize them together. The top part, 艹 (kusa-kanmuri), clearly represents grass or plants, establishing the botanical context. The bottom part, 戊 (which can also be associated with a spear or halberd), has a strong, almost assertive shape, like a powerful force. Visualize a lush, dense forest where the plants (艹) grow so vigorously and powerfully (戊) they literally push up and out, creating a thick, luxuriant canopy. It's as if the plants assert their growth with an unstoppable, determined force. This image of plants bursting forth with abundant vitality and density will help you remember 茂 means "to grow thick" or "luxuriant."