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Japanese tercet

Form
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A three-line stanza derived from or inspired by traditional Japanese short forms like haiku

Explore this topic in depth (1)

Haiku — Haiku is a compact poetic form rooted in Japanese culture, often shaped by an image of the natural world, a seasonal reference, and a meaningful pause or turn. This guide explains how haiku works, how to read it attentively, and how to begin writing your own.

Detailed Definition
Japanese tercet typically refers to a three-line stanza inspired by or adapted from Japanese forms like haiku (5-7-5) or tanka fragments, often retaining syllabic discipline and seasonal imagery while functioning within longer Western poems; it serves as a concentrated unit of perception or emotional pivot.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Cherry blossoms fall— / onto the still pond’s surface / ripples multiply”; “First snow covers / the crow’s black wings— / silence deepens”; “Summer cicadas— / their song fills the empty / temple courtyard”; “Autumn moonlight— / a worm digs silently / into the chestnut”
Additional Notes
A Japanese tercet adapts haiku structure (three unrhymed lines, 5-7-5 syllables) outside Japanese; often retains kigo and cutting word (kireji) function; used in English to capture ephemeral moments
Also Known As
haiku stanza nature tercet seasonal triplet 5-7-5 form Haiku
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