ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Haiku in languages other than Japanese

Haiku is a type of poem that originally comes from Japan. In a haiku, you use just a few words to describe something very simple, like nature or the seasons. It follows a specific pattern of 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second line, and 5 syllables in the third line.

Some people in other parts of the world really like haiku and want to write it in their own languages. However, different languages work in different ways, so writing haiku in another language can be a bit tricky.

To do it right, you need to find words and phrases that are just as simple and poetic as the ones used in Japanese haiku. You also need to follow the same pattern of syllables, even though the words might look or sound different in your language.

For example, let's say you wanted to write a haiku in English about a flower. You might choose words like "petals", "color", and "sun". You would then count the syllables in each line to make sure they fit the 5-7-5 pattern. So, your haiku could look something like this:

Petals, bright and bold,
Colors dance in the sun's rays.
Beauty in one bloom.

Even though this haiku is written in English and not Japanese, it still captures the same spirit of simplicity and beauty that haiku is all about.