#016: Hashi (Bridge) (Semiweekly-pedia of Japan)

#016: Hashi (Bridge) (category: structure)

A bridge is called "hashi" in Japanese as well as chopsticks. This pronunciation is exactly the same as that of another "hashi (chopsticks)" (refer to #015). Although these two words have obviously different kanji characters, you might be confused if you don't recognize the difference between both words.

You can also call chopsticks "ohashi" as a polite word of "hashi", but you cannot call bridge "ohashi". You should know the polite prefix "o" cannot be used with every word.

(Friday, May 24th, 2013)    See Archive