Meaning
plant; vegetation; flora
Nuance & Usage
植物 refers to plants in a broad botanical sense. Common compound words: 植物園 (shokubutsu-en — botanical garden), 観葉植物 (kan'you shokubutsu — foliage plant/houseplant), 植物性 (shokubutsu-sei — plant-based), 植物油 (shokubutsu-yu — vegetable oil). The contrast: 植物 (plant kingdom) vs 動物 (doubutsu — animal kingdom). Specific types: 花 (hana — flower), 木 (ki — tree), 草 (kusa — grass/herb). In environmental discussions, 植生 (shokusei — vegetation/plant life of an area) is more technical.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 植物 (shokubutsu — plants as a category) with specific plant types like 木 (ki — tree), 花 (hana — flower), or 草 (kusa — grass/weed). 植物 is the general category word. Also: 植物を育てる (raise/grow plants) uses 育てる (sodateru), not 作る (tsukuru — make). 植える (ueru) is the verb for planting (植える = to plant [in soil]).
Example Sentences
この地域には珍しい植物がたくさん生えています。
このちいきにはめずらしいしょくぶつがたくさんはえています。
Many rare plants grow in this area.
部屋に観葉植物を置くと、雰囲気が明るくなります。
へやにかんようしょくぶつをおくと、ふんいきがあかるくなります。
Placing houseplants in a room brightens the atmosphere.
近くの植物園で季節の花々を楽しみました。
ちかくのしょくぶつえんできせつのはなばなをたのしみました。
I enjoyed the seasonal flowers at the botanical garden nearby.
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