How to say "grass" in Japanese

• 草くさJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe general word for grass as a plant, and also for weeds or unwanted plants growing somewhere. Use it when talking about grass growing wild, in a field, or being pulled out.
  月つきには草くさが生はえて無ない。↗

  There is no grass on the moon.
• 芝生しばふJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounRefers to a lawn: grass that is deliberately planted, kept short, and maintained, as in a park, garden, or sports ground. Use this for the grass surface itself, not for individual plants.
  芝生しばふに露ろが降おりている。↗

  Dew has formed on the lawn.
• 牧草ぼくそうCommon
  nounGrass grown as pasture or fodder for livestock, as on a ranch or grazing land. It is not the word for ordinary grass you see around you; use it only in the context of animal feed or pasture.
  ある暑あつい夏なつの午後ごご、ジョンとダンヌは長ながくなった牧草ぼくそうを刈かっていました。↗

  One hot summer afternoon, John and Dan were cutting the long grass.

Use 草 for grass or weeds as plants in general, 芝生 for a cultivated lawn or turf, and 牧草 for grass grown as feed for animals.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 草くさgrass
• 芝生しばふlawn
• 牧草ぼくそうpasture
• グラスgrass