haiku

Everyday

1. A haiku is a very short poem that comes from Japan, usually with three lines. tree →
2. In English lessons, a haiku often has 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second and 5 in the third, 17 syllables in all. tree →
3. A haiku usually paints one small moment, often about nature or a season. tree →

In the lessons

In English and poetry lessons pupils count syllables to write a haiku: 5–7–5. It teaches careful word choice, because there is so little space. A haiku often has a "seasonal word" (snow, blossom, leaves) and a surprise or turn at the end. In maths-like puzzles, you may be asked how many syllables a haiku has (17). Phrases: «write a haiku», «haiku about autumn», «5-7-5 pattern».

Examples

• We wrote a haiku about the first snow. tree →
• A haiku has three lines and seventeen syllables. tree →
• Count the syllables on your fingers to check your haiku. tree →
• Her haiku was about a frog jumping into a pond. tree →
• Haiku come from Japan. tree →
• The poet wrote a haiku for every season. tree →
• My haiku: "Red leaves drift and fall / the wind carries them away / the tree stands alone." tree →

Note

Plural: «haiku» (same as singular) or «haikus»; both are seen. Say it "HIGH-koo". In Japanese the count is of sound units, not English syllables, so the 5–7–5 rule is a school rule for English, and real poets sometimes break it. A haiku does not need to rhyme. Maths: 5 + 7 + 5 = 17 syllables.