Translation and Meaning of: 公園 - kouen

If you are learning Japanese or are simply curious about the language, you have probably encountered the word 公園[こうえん]. This expression is quite common in everyday Japanese and has a simple yet interesting meaning. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, usage in sentences, and even some cultural curiosities that may help you memorize it better. If you want to understand how the Japanese view public spaces or how this word appears in real contexts, keep reading!

The meaning and writing of 公園

The word 公園[こうえん] means "park." It is composed of two kanji: 公 (kou), which can represent something public or official, and 園 (en), which refers to a garden or enclosed area. Together, these characters form the idea of a green space open to the public, like the parks we know in the West.

In Japan, 公園 are important places for leisure, from picnics to seasonal festivals. Unlike some parks in Brazil, Japanese parks tend to be extremely organized in these spaces, keeping them clean and respecting community rules. If you visit Japan, you will definitely come across various 公園, especially in urban areas.

How and when to use 公園 in everyday Japanese

公園 is a frequently used word in everyday life, especially in cities where green spaces are valued. It appears on signs, maps, and even in informal conversations. For example, if someone asks "どこで待ち合わせしましょうか?" (Where shall we meet?), a common response could be "駅前の公園で" (At the park in front of the station).

It's worth noting that, although 公園 is generally associated with public areas, some places may have specific rules, such as operating hours or restrictions for pets. In Japan, it is common to see signs detailing what is allowed or not in these spaces, so be attentive if you plan to visit one.

Curiosities and tips for memorizing 公園

An easy way to the meaning of 公園 is to associate the kanji 公 (public) with 園 (garden). Together, they literally form a "public garden." Furthermore, this word is so common that it appears in various train station names, such as 代々木公園駅 (Yoyogi Kouen Station) in Tokyo.

Another interesting fact is that many 公園 in Japan have exercise equipment for the elderly, reflecting the culture of caring for health in old age. If you've ever watched an anime or drama, you've probably seen scenes in parks—they are common settings for moments of relaxation or even dramatic twists!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 公共の庭園 (Kōkyō no teien) - Public garden, usually with ornamental plants and landscape design.
  • 広場 (Hiroba) - Square, an open area that can be used for meetings and events.
  • 緑地 (Ryokuchi) - Green area, normally indeterminate in size, that can include parks and gardens.
  • 公共の公園 (Kōkyō no kōen) - Public park, a green space accessible to the public.
  • 公的な公園 (Kōteki na kōen) - Public nature park designated, emphasizing public management.
  • 都市公園 (Toshi kōen) - Urban park, specifically located in an urban context.
  • 都市緑地 (Toshi ryokuchi) - Urban green area that serves as a space for recreation and conservation.
  • 自然公園 (Shizen kōen) - Natural park, generally preserving native fauna and flora.
  • 自然緑地 (Shizen ryokuchi) - Natural green area, maintaining the local ecosystem.
  • 都市の緑のオアシス (Toshi no midori no oashisu) - Urban green oasis, a natural space within the city that offers a refuge.
  • 都市の緑地帯 (Toshi no ryokuchitai) - Urban green belt, promoting the continuity of green areas within urban planning.
  • 都市の緑の空間 (Toshi no midori no kūkan) - Urban green space, emphasizing the importance of green areas in urban environments.
  • 都市の緑のリゾート (Toshi no midori no rizōto) - Urban green resort, a recreational space that promotes relaxation amid nature.
  • 都市の緑の保養地 (Toshi no midori no hoyōchi) - Urban green rest area, designated for leisure and well-being.
  • 都市の緑の保養所 (Toshi no midori no hoyōjo) - Urban green holiday installation, focusing on relaxation environments in green areas.
  • 都市の緑の避暑地 (Toshi no midori no hishochi) - Urban green space to escape the heat, perfect for relaxation and leisure.
  • 都市の緑の休養地 (Toshi no midori no kyuyōchi) - Urban green area for rest and recovery.
  • 都市の緑のレクリエーション地域 (Toshi no midori no rekuriēshon chiiki) - Urban green recreation area, designed for outdoor activities and social interaction.

Related words

遊園地

yuuenchi

Amusement park

mai

Counter for flat objects (e.g. sheets of paper)

埋蔵

maizou

buried property; treasure

広場

hiroba

square

展望

tenbou

vision; perspective; perspective

sono

garden; park; plantation

shiro

castle

ku

wing; district; section

会場

kaijyou

assembly room; meeting place; the land

en

garden (especially man-made)

公園

Romaji: kouen
Kana: こうえん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: (Public park

Meaning in English: (public) park

Definition: A large space reserved for people to enjoy nature.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (公園) kouen

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (公園) kouen:

Example Sentences - (公園) kouen

See below some example sentences:

開放された公園でピクニックを楽しんだ。

Kaifō sareta kōen de pikunikku o tanoshinda

We enjoyed a picnic in the park that was opened to the public.

I enjoyed the picnic in the open park.

  • 開放された - open, available
  • 公園 - park
  • で - in
  • ピクニック - picnic
  • を - Direct object particle
  • 楽しんだ - took advantage, enjoyed
この公園には美しい噴水があります。

Kono kōen ni wa utsukushii funsui ga arimasu

In this park there is a beautiful fountain.

There is a beautiful fountain in this park.

  • この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
  • 公園 - noun that means "park"
  • に - particle indicating the location of something, in this case "at"
  • は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this park"
  • 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
  • 噴水 - noun meaning "spring" or "fountain"
  • が - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case, "the source"
  • あります - verb meaning "to exist" or "to be present"
中央にある公園はとても美しいです。

Chūō ni aru kōen wa totemo utsukushii desu

The park in the center is very beautiful.

  • 中央にある - located in the center
  • 公園 - park
  • は - Topic particle
  • とても - very
  • 美しい - beautiful
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
公園に行きたいです。

Kouen ni ikitai desu

I want to go to the park.

  • 公園 (kouen) - park
  • に (ni) - particle indicating where you want to go
  • 行きたい (ikitai) - want to go
  • です (desu) - polite way to end a sentence
国定公園は美しい自然がたくさんあります。

Kokutei kōen wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan arimasu

Kokutei National Park has a lot of beautiful nature.

Kokusai Park has a lot of beautiful nature.

  • 国定公園 - National park
  • は - Topic particle
  • 美しい - pretty
  • 自然 - Nature
  • が - Subject particle
  • たくさん - Very
  • あります - They exist
大きい犬が公園で走っている。

Ookii inu ga kouen de hashitte iru

A large dog is running in the park.

  • 大きい - adjective meaning "big"
  • 犬 - noun meaning "dog"
  • が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 公園 - noun that means "park"
  • で - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
  • 走っている - verb meaning "to be running" in the present tense and continuous form
私は公園で落ちていたゴミを拾いました。

Watashi wa kōen de ochite ita gomi o hiroimashita

I picked up the litter that was on the ground in the park.

I picked up the trash that had fallen in the park.

  • 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
  • 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
  • で (de) - a grammatical particle that indicates the place where the action took place, in this case, "in the park"
  • 落ちていた (ochiteita) - verb in the past continuous that means "was fallen"
  • ゴミ (gomi) - The noun that means "garbage" is "lixo".
  • を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "the trash"
  • 拾いました (hiroi mashita) - The verb in the past that means "I took"
私は毎日通り過ぎる公園が大好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi toorisugiru kouen ga daisuki desu

I love the park that I every day.

I love the park that es every day.

  • 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
  • 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
  • 通り過ぎる (toorisugiru) - verb meaning "to by"
  • 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
  • が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "park"
  • 大好き (daisuki) - adjective meaning "very loved"
  • です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence
私は毎朝公園で走る。

Watashi wa maiasa kōen de hashiru

I run every morning in the park.

I run in the park every morning.

  • 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
  • は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
  • 毎朝 (maiasa) - adverb meaning "every morning"
  • 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
  • で (de) - particle indicating the place where the action takes place, in this case, "in the park"
  • 走る (hashiru) - verb meaning "to run"
私は公園でピクニックをするのが好きです。

Watashi wa kōen de pikunikku o suru no ga suki desu

I like to make picnic in the park.

I like picnics in the park.

  • 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
  • は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
  • 公園 (kouen) - means "park" in Japanese
  • で (de) - location particle in Japanese, used to indicate where something happens
  • ピクニック (pikunikku) - Japanese word for "picnic"
  • を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
  • する (suru) - Japanese verb meaning "to do"
  • のが (noga) - Japanese particle indicating that the phrase is an expression of preference
  • 好き (suki) - Japanese adjective meaning "to like"
  • です (desu) - linking verb in Japanese, used to indicate the formality of the sentence

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

簡潔

kanketsu

Brevity; conciseness; simplicity

kusuri

medicine

上がり

agari

1. inclination; advance payment; harvest yield; ascension; increase; progress; death; spinning; conclusion; stop; finishing; after (rain); ex (official, etc.); 2. freshly brewed green tea (especially in sushi shops)

懸命

kenmei

anxiety; seriousness; risking someone's life

効果

kouka

It is made; efficiency; efficiency; result

公園