bonsai
/bɒnˈsaɪ/
Japanese Origin
Arts
Original Word
盆栽
Kanji (bonsai)
Entered English
Early 20th century
First recorded usage in English
The Story Behind "bonsai"
From Japanese 'bonsai' (盆栽), literally 'tray planting' (bon = tray, sai = planting). The art of growing miniature trees in containers, derived from the Chinese practice of penjing.
Example Usage
"He has been tending his bonsai tree for over twenty years."