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haiku

/ˈhaɪ.kuː/ Japanese Origin Arts

Original Word

俳句

Kanji (haiku)

Entered English

Early 20th century

First recorded usage in English

The Story Behind "haiku"

From Japanese 'haiku' (俳句), a traditional form of short poetry. Originally the opening stanza of a longer linked-verse poem (renga). The 17-syllable 5-7-5 form became an independent poetic genre.

Example Usage

"She wrote a beautiful haiku about the cherry blossoms."

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