Translation guide
A plant that completes its life cycle in two years, typically growing leaves the first year and flowering the second.
Referring to a plant that lives for two years, usually flowering in the second year.
Standard botanical term for a biennial plant. Used in gardening and biology contexts.
Saying that a plant is biennial, or describing its two-year life cycle.
Means 'biennial plant' using 二年生 (two-year life). Common in everyday speech.
これは二年生の植物ですか？
Is this a biennial plant?
二年草 is the standard term for biennial plants. 越年草 is sometimes used in agriculture and can include plants that overwinter but may not strictly be biennials. In most contexts, 二年草 is preferred.
二年草と越年草はほぼ同じ意味で使われることが多い。
二年草 and 越年草 are often used interchangeably.
パセリは二年草です。
Parsley is a biennial plant.
Literally 'overwintering plant'. Often used interchangeably with 二年草, but can also include winter annuals. More common in agricultural contexts.
この越年草は寒さに強い。
This biennial plant is resistant to cold.
Descriptive phrase: 'a plant that completes its life in two years'. Useful when explaining the concept.
二年で一生を終える植物を二年草と言います。
Plants that complete their life in two years are called biennials.