Meaning
The kanji 草 (kusa, sō) primarily means 'grass,' 'weed,' 'herb,' or more broadly, 'plant' or 'vegetation.' It refers to the familiar green growth covering the earth, from a single blade of grass in a lawn to a patch of wild herbs in a field.
This kanji originated as a pictograph. The ancient form of 草 clearly depicted multiple sprouts or blades of grass emerging from the ground. Its most prominent feature is the radical, 艹 (kusakanmuri), positioned at the top. This radical itself means 'grass' and visually represents two sprouts or a cluster of grass.
Below this radical is the character 早 (hayai), which typically means 'early' or 'fast.' In the context of 草, however, 早 can be interpreted to symbolize the rapid growth and abundance of vegetation. It reflects how grass and plants quickly sprout and spread, covering vast areas. Together, these components visually and semantically represent the vigorous growth and widespread presence of vegetation. This kanji is a Jōyō Kanji, taught in Grade 1 of Japanese elementary school. It is one of the earliest characters children learn and consists of 9 strokes.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 草 is ソウ (SŌ). This reading is typically used in compound words, where it often lends a more formal, academic, or classificatory nuance. You'll frequently find it in terms referring to types of vegetation broadly, or specific categories like herbs.
- 雑草 (zassō) — meaning "weeds," literally "miscellaneous grass." It's a common term for unwanted plants that sprout spontaneously in gardens or cultivated fields.
- 薬草 (yakusō) — meaning "medicinal herb." This compound refers specifically to plants valued for their therapeutic or healing properties, emphasizing their practical utility.
- 草食動物 (sōshoku dōbutsu) — meaning "herbivore," literally "grass-eating animal." This term classifies animals based on their diet, emphasizing their consumption of plant matter.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary Kun'yomi reading for 草 is くさ (kusa). This is the most common native Japanese reading, used for general 'grass,' 'plant,' or 'weed' in everyday conversation and natural descriptions. It can refer to wild growth, vegetation in general, or even specific small plants, such as those found in a field or garden.
- 草 (kusa) — meaning "grass," "weed," or "herb." This is the standalone word for the plant itself, used in a broad, informal sense.
- 草花 (kusabana) — meaning "flowering plants," or "garden flowers." It refers specifically to plants that produce blossoms, often small and delicate, typically found in gardens or wild fields.
- 草むら (kusamura) — meaning "thicket of grass," "patch of grass," or "bush." This compound describes an area densely covered with grass, often implying a wild or overgrown section.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 草 appears in a wide array of compound words, reflecting its fundamental role in describing the natural world, and even extending to figurative meanings.
- 雑草 (zassō) — weeds. These are plants growing where they are not wanted, often seen as a nuisance in gardening.
- 薬草 (yakusō) — medicinal herb. Plants recognized for their healing or health-promoting properties.
- 草花 (kusabana) — flowering plants. A general term for plants that bear flowers, often implying ornamental value.
- 草木 (kusaki) — plants and trees, vegetation. A comprehensive term referring to all forms of flora, from small grasses to large trees.
- 草むら (kusamura) — patch of grass, thicket. An area covered densely with grass, often implying a wild or untended spot.
- 野草 (yasō) — wild grass, wild plants. Plants that grow naturally in the wild without human cultivation.
- 若草 (wakakusa) — young grass, fresh grass. Often associated with the vibrant green sprouts of spring.
- 海草 (kaisō) — seaweed, marine plant. Plants that grow in the ocean, a staple in Japanese cuisine.
- 牧草 (bokusoō) — pasture grass, forage. Grass cultivated specifically for feeding livestock.
- 草稿 (sōkō) — draft, rough copy, manuscript. Here, 草 takes on a figurative meaning of "rough" or "unfinished," much like an uncultivated plot of land or a quickly sketched idea.
- 草書 (sōsho) — cursive script. A flowing, simplified style of Chinese characters, often called "grass script" due to its fluid, interconnected strokes resembling grass blowing in the wind.
- 草の根 (kusa no ne) — grass roots, the common people. A figurative expression referring to the fundamental level of society or an organization, symbolizing ordinary individuals.
- 草野球 (kusayakyu) — amateur baseball, sandlot baseball. Here, 草 implies informal, recreational, or amateur status, distinguishing it from professional sports.
- 草食動物 (sōshoku dōbutsu) — herbivore. An animal that primarily feeds on plants.
Example Sentences
庭にはたくさんの草が生えています。
Niwa ni wa takusan no kusa ga haeteimasu.
There is a lot of grass growing in the garden.
週末に草を刈るのが私の日課です。
Shūmatsu ni kusa wo karu no ga watashi no nikka desu.
Cutting the grass is my routine on weekends.
その道端には珍しい野草が咲いていた。
Sono michibata ni wa mezurashii yasō ga saiteita.
Rare wild plants were blooming by the roadside.
公園の広大な草地でピクニックを楽しんだ。
Kōen no kōdai na kusachi de pikunikku wo tanoshinda.
We enjoyed a picnic on the vast grassy field in the park.
この地域では、多様な薬草が自生しています。
Kono chiiki de wa, tayō na yakusō ga jisei shiteimasu.
Various medicinal herbs grow wild in this region.
彼女は草書を美しく書くことができる。
Kanojo wa sōsho wo utsukushiku kaku koto ga dekiru.
She can beautifully write in cursive script.
草の根レベルでの活動が社会を変える。
Kusa no ne reberu de no katsudō ga shakai wo kaeru.
Grassroots activities change society.
雨の後には、若草が一層鮮やかに見える。
Ame no ato ni wa, wakakusa ga issō azayaka ni mieru.
After the rain, the young grass looks even more vivid.
彼は草食動物の生態について研究している。
Kare wa sōshoku dōbutsu no seitai ni tsuite kenkyū shiteiru.
He is researching the ecology of herbivores.
彼の最初の小説はまだ草稿の段階です。
Kare no saisho no shōsetsu wa mada sōkō no dankai desu.
His first novel is still in the draft stage.
Memory Tip
The kanji 草 is quite intuitive and easy to remember, thanks to its components. The top part, 艹 (kusakanmuri), is the "grass radical" itself, clearly depicting two blades or shoots of grass emerging. It serves as a strong visual cue.
Below it is the character 早 (hayai), which means "early" or "fast." You can create a mnemonic by imagining grass (艹) growing "early" in the spring. Alternatively, think of it growing "fast" and abundantly, covering entire fields in no time. Picture the radical as two shoots of grass pushing up from the ground, symbolizing lush vegetation. The bottom element then reminds you how quickly (早) grass can grow to cover the earth.