茶

JLPT N4

Tea

Readings

On’yomi: チャ, サ (cha, sa)

Structure

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Composition: Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

茶

ちゃ

tea

お茶

おちゃ

tea (polite)

紅茶

こうちゃ

black tea

緑茶

りょくちゃ

green tea

茶店

ちゃてん

tea shop

Example Sentences

茶を飲みます。

ちゃをのみます。

I drink tea.

お茶をください。

おちゃをください。

Please give me tea.

紅茶が好きです。

こうちゃがすきです。

I like black tea.

緑茶を入れます。

りょくちゃをいれます。

I make green tea.

茶店に行きます。

ちゃてんにいきます。

I go to a tea shop.

Cultural Note

🍃 茶 (tea) is deeply woven into Japanese life, philosophy, and aesthetics.
• 茶道 (Sadō), the way of tea, is more than just drinking tea — it reflects harmony (和), respect (敬), purity (清), and tranquility (寂).
• Matcha (抹茶), powdered green tea, is central to formal ceremonies and Zen practices.
• Tea is offered in almost all homes and temples as a symbol of hospitality (おもてなし).
• Even modern Japanese culture uses 茶 symbolically — for comfort, connection, and mindfulness.
• The color 茶色 (brown) is used in describing earthy tones, reflecting natural simplicity.