Is 'haiku' English, or is it actually Japanese?

'Haiku' is a word borrowed from Japanese 'haiku'. The word entered the English language some time around 1902.

haiku [noun] [1902]

• an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respect...
• a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference

Meaning: an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five; seven; and five syllables respectively; a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference compare tanka.

Etymology: Japanese.

Topics: Arts:Visual.

Origin: From Japanese to English.

See 'haiku' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Japanese.

See more loan words from 1900s.