箒木

Japanese

Kanji in this term
箒	木
ほうき Hyōgai	き > ぎ Grade: 1
kun'yomi

Etymology 1

Literally, “broom tree”, 箒(ほうき) (hōki, “broom”) + 木(き) (ki, “tree”). The ki changes to gi as an instance of rendaku (連濁).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ho̞ːkʲiɡʲi]

Noun

箒(ほうき)木(ぎ) or 箒木(ホウキギ) • (hōkigi) 

1. ragweed, Bassia scoparia

   Synonym: 箒草 (hōki-gusa)

2. legendary tree of Shinano that looks like an upright broom. Said to be visible from far off, and disappear when approached

Usage notes

As with many terms that name organisms, this term is often spelled in katakana, especially in biological contexts (where katakana is customary).

Etymology 2

Kanji in this term
箒	木
ははき Hyōgai	き > ぎ Grade: 1
irregular	kun'yomi

Noun

箒(ははき)木(ぎ) • (hahakigi) 

1. Synonym of 箒木 (hōkigi, “ragweed, Bassia scoparia”)
2. legendary tree of Shinano that looks like an upright broom. Said to be visible from far off, and disappear when approached
3. (kakekotoba) used as a pivot word on 母 (haha, “mother”)
4. the male lover of a prostitute

Proper noun

箒(ははき)木(ぎ) • (Hahakigi) 

1. the second chapter of The Tale of Genji