A1 noun Neutral #3,689 most common

mi [mi]

Primarily refers to the fruit, nut, or seed produced by a plant. It can also abstractly represent the truth, reality, or the actual substance of something as opposed to its outward appearance.

Examples

3 of 5
1

この木には赤い実がなっています。

This tree is bearing red fruit.

2

長年の努力がようやく実を結びました。

Many years of effort have finally borne fruit.

3

実は、昨日学校を休みました。

To tell you the truth, I was absent from school yesterday.

Word Family

Noun
Verb
実る
Adverb
実に
Adjective
実用的
Related
果実
💡

Memory Tip

The kanji 実 depicts a roof over a shell (ancient currency), representing a house filled with 'substance' or 'wealth'—just like a fruit is filled with nutrients.

Quick Quiz

庭の木に大きな___がなりました。

Correct!

The correct answer is:

Examples

1

この木には赤い実がなっています。

everyday

This tree is bearing red fruit.

2

長年の努力がようやく実を結びました。

formal

Many years of effort have finally borne fruit.

3

実は、昨日学校を休みました。

informal

To tell you the truth, I was absent from school yesterday.

4

植物は受粉の後に実を形成します。

academic

Plants form fruit after pollination.

5

実を言うと、このプロジェクトには反対です。

business

To be honest, I am against this project.

Word Family

Noun
Verb
実る
Adverb
実に
Adjective
実用的
Related
果実

Common Collocations

実を結ぶ to bear fruit / to succeed
実をつける to produce fruit
実が入る to be filled with substance
実のある話 a meaningful conversation
実を食べる to eat the fruit/nut

Common Phrases

実は

actually / to tell the truth

実を言うと

to tell you the truth

名実ともに

both in name and in reality

Often Confused With

vs

身 (mi) refers to the human body or oneself, while 実 (mi) refers to the fruit of a plant.

vs

種 (tane) is specifically the seed, whereas 実 (mi) is the whole fruit or nut.

📝

Usage Notes

When pronounced 'mi', it usually refers to biological fruit or nuts. When used as 'jitsu' in compounds or phrases like 'jitsu wa', it refers to truth or reality.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Beginning learners often confuse the pronunciation 'mi' for 'fruit' with 'mi' for 'body' (身) because they sound identical, so pay attention to the kanji context.

💡

Memory Tip

The kanji 実 depicts a roof over a shell (ancient currency), representing a house filled with 'substance' or 'wealth'—just like a fruit is filled with nutrients.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from a pictograph showing a building containing abundant items, evolving to mean 'ripeness' or 'substance'.

Grammar Patterns

Noun + がなる (to bear fruit) 実は + [Sentence] (Actually...) 実の + [Noun] (Biological/Real...)
🌍

Cultural Context

In Japan, seasonal 'mi' (fruits/nuts) like persimmons or chestnuts are highly celebrated as markers of autumn.

Quick Quiz

庭の木に大きな___がなりました。

Correct!

The correct answer is:

Related Words

協力

A1

Cooperation or collaboration where two or more people combine their efforts to achieve a common goal. It is used in both personal and professional settings to describe working together as a team or providing assistance.

提案

A1

A suggestion or proposal of a plan or idea for others to consider. It is used in both casual conversations and professional meetings to introduce a potential course of action.

輸出

A1

The act of sending goods or services produced in one country to another country for sale or trade. In Japanese, it functions as a noun and a suru-verb, representing the 'exit' of products from a domestic market.

輸入

A1

The act of bringing goods, services, or materials into a country from abroad for sale or use. In Japanese, it functions as a noun or can be combined with 'suru' to become a verb meaning 'to import'.

資源

A1

Shigen refers to valuable materials or assets, such as natural minerals, energy sources, or human talent, that can be used for production or survival. It is widely used in economics, environmental science, and daily life to describe both raw materials and abstract wealth.

保護

A1

The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, damage, or loss by providing care or creating boundaries. It is a versatile term in Japanese used for social welfare, environmental conservation, and digital security.

観察

A1

Observation is the act of watching someone or something carefully in order to gain information or understand a process. It is frequently used in scientific studies, nature analysis, and describing the act of paying close attention to details.

競争

A1

Kyousou refers to the act of competing or vying with others to achieve a goal, win a prize, or establish superiority. It is a versatile term used in sports, business, and academics to describe both structured contests and general rivalry.

拡大

A1

The act of making something larger in size, scale, or scope. It is frequently used for physical enlargement (like a photo) or abstract growth (like a business or a problem).

製造

A1

The process of making or producing goods, typically on a large scale using machinery. It refers specifically to industrial manufacturing rather than making things by hand on a small scale.

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