Definition

A type of Japanese poem that has five lines with a specific syllable pattern: the first and third lines have five syllables, while the second, fourth, and fifth lines have seven syllables each.

Example

She wrote a beautiful tanka about the changing seasons.

Conversation

Have you ever tried writing a tanka?

I haven't, but I've heard it's a beautiful form of poetry.

Yeah, it really is! Each tanka tells such a vivid story.

I'd love to give it a shot someday; it sounds like a fun challenge.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'tanka' originates from Japanese (短歌), meaning 'short poem'. It refers to a specific form of Japanese poetry consisting of five lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5-7-7.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tanka' as a 'short poem' in Japanese, where the structure is defined by its specific line lengths.

Visually Confused Words