Meaning

Primary

Garden

Word Type

noun, suffix

Explanation

The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.

This word is generally used in the names of gardens, like エデンの園 and 桜の園. It's also used in phrases like 学びの園, which means "school" and carries the connotation of being a haven for learning.

Reading

その
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)
えん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This word uses the kun'yomi reading, which you didn't learn the kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

Which garden is the Garden of Eden? その garden! That garden right next to you is the Garden of Eden!

It can also use the on'yomi, though, which you've already learned. When it takes the on'yomi and is used as a standalone word, it usually refers to some kind of institution, like a 幼稚園.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 園庭

    a garden, a kindergarten school yard

    園生活

    kindergarten life

    園バス

    kindergarten bus

Context Sentences

エデンの園でアダムとイブが食べたのは、実はリンゴじゃなくてバナナだったかもしれないんだって。

It's said that what Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Eden might have been a banana instead of an apple.

リンゴ園でリンゴを箱づめするアルバイトをしていました。

I had a part-time job where I packed apples in boxes at an apple orchard.

うちの園の先生たちは、みんな良い先生ばかりです。

All of the teachers at our preschool are really good teachers.

Kanji Composition