#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)". 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