What Is a Haiku? | Format & Examples

A haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form that, when written in English, typically consists of seventeen syllables arranged in three lines of five, seven, and five syllables, respectively.

Haiku poems characteristically draw images from nature and often include seasonal references. Poets around the world have embraced the haiku format for its simplicity and economical use of language.

If you are experimenting with haiku yourself, QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you refine your word choice and keep your language as precise and concise as the form demands.

Characteristics of haiku poetry

A haiku is a short poem that relies on concrete images and simple but precise language to describe a brief moment in time. Beyond its compact, three-line structure, haiku poetry has several characteristics that define the form:

• Present moment focus. A haiku captures the essence of a moment, using vivid imagery with minimal words; it is similar to a snapshot taken with words instead of a camera. For example, “The Old Pond” above focuses entirely on the moment a frog jumps—we do not need to know what happened before or after.
• Sensory images. These poems often draw upon observations made through one of the five senses: touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight. It can also include the sense of heat and cold. Notice how “The Old Pond,” for instance, relies on sound (or the absence of it) apart from sight to paint a vivid picture.
• Nature and seasonal references. Traditional haiku draw from the natural world and often include a word or phrase associated with a particular season in Japanese poetry. For example, “flowers becoming cold” implies the chilly weather of late spring.
• Juxtaposition. The most common literary device in haiku poetry is placing two distinct images side by side, creating an unexpected connection. This allows meaning to emerge from the relationship between images rather than explicit explanation.
• Everyday language. Haiku favor simple but exact words over traditional poetic diction and meter. Their power comes from careful selection and arrangement, not from elaborate vocabulary or flowery language. Figures of speech like metaphors and similes are commonly avoided.
• The “aha” moment. Good haiku often include a subtle shift or surprise that creates a moment of sudden awareness or insight for the reader. The movement from silence to splash and back to silence again creates this moment of recognition in “The Old Pond.”

As haiku has spread beyond Japan, many of its traditional elements—including the 5-7-5 syllable structure—have become more flexible. Today, especially in English-language haiku, poets tend to focus less on syllable counts and more on conveying the spirit of the form.

What remains constant is the core philosophy: concrete images from nature, economy of language, and a moment of insight that offers an unexpected perspective.

Haiku examples for beginners

The best way to understand haiku poetry is to read it. Below are some well-known haiku and haiku-inspired poems, starting with classic Japanese works and ending with early 20th-century English-language examples.

Famous Japanese haiku examples

Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) is considered one of the most important poets in the history of haiku and composed around 1,000 poems in his lifetime. The following haiku by Bashō shows how master poets sometimes allowed artistic expression to take priority over strict form.

Although the original Japanese version contains 19 “on” (Japanese sound units) instead of the traditional 17, it still preserves the spirit of haiku by capturing the quiet beauty of an autumn moment. It also includes the seasonal word (kigo) “aki no kure,” meaning “autumn evening.”

Note that in Japanese, haiku are traditionally written as a single vertical line, though they appear in three lines when romanized or translated.

The following haiku, also by Matsuo Bashō, shows how Japanese poets capture the essence of a moment. The poem presents a simple observation: a cicada singing, unaware that it will soon die. Instead of using metaphors or symbols, Bashō lets this moment speak for itself. The insight about mortality emerges naturally.

Kobayashi Issa (1763–1828) is known for his humorous, compassionate haiku that often feature small creatures and their struggles. This Issa poem is often read as an encouragement to persevere despite obstacles, capturing a mix of humor and gentle motivation.

Haiku-inspired examples in English literature

In addition to translated haiku by Japanese poets, some English-language poets in the early 20th century experimented with haiku-like techniques in their own work. While the following poems do not follow the traditional haiku rules, they reflect the haiku spirit.

This brief, two-line poem is one of the earliest and most famous haiku-inspired works in English. Although not a haiku in form, the poem mirrors several of its characteristics: a moment observed in passing, two juxtaposed images, and an emotional resonance left open to interpretation.

Amy Lowell was an influential American poet in the early 20th century, known for her innovative approach to poetry. She experimented with Japanese poetic techniques and often wrote short poems that evoke the mood and simplicity of haiku.

While it does not use sharp contrasts or juxtapositions typical of traditional haiku, the poem focuses on a single, peaceful moment using simple language and vivid sensory detail, key qualities of the haiku style.

How to write a haiku in 4 simple steps

If you feel inspired to try your hand at haiku, the following guide can help:

1. Focus on the present and observe. Pick a single moment or observation from your day. It can be something as simple as the smell of morning coffee, a cat on a windowsill, or the sound of rain on the pavement. Notice if there are seasonal elements in your chosen moment, like snow, falling leaves, or blooming flowers. These often appear in traditional haiku, helping ground the moment in time and place.
2. Make notes about what you see, hear, smell, or feel. Haiku poetry is about capturing a moment, not telling a whole story. Take a moment to observe your surroundings and note down words, images, or feelings that stand out. Try using prompts like “I notice…” or “I wonder…” For example, “I notice the way the light hits the wall.” Once you have a collection of sensory details and observations, you are ready to shape them into your haiku.
3. Write your haiku. Remember, the classic haiku structure is three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. However, don’t stress about the rules: the feeling and imagery are more important than keeping to the syllable count. Choose ordinary words that anyone can understand. Avoid flowery adjectives or complicated metaphors.
4. Read it aloud and refine. Read your haiku aloud to make sure it flows naturally. Check your syllable count if you want to stick to tradition. Replace weak words with strong, specific nouns and active verbs.

Frequently asked questions about haiku poems

What are seasonal words in haiku?

Seasonal words, or “kigo,” are traditional terms that point to a specific time of year in haiku poetry. The poet does not make them up—they are part of a shared set of words used in Japanese poetry for centuries. For example, sakura (cherry blossoms) signals spring, while yuki (snow) represents winter. A kigo adds mood, meaning, and context to a haiku in just one word.

Need help finding the right seasonal word? Try asking QuillBot’s AI chat.

Do haiku always need to follow the 5-7-5 syllable structure?

Not necessarily. While traditional Japanese haiku use a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, modern English haiku often focus more on capturing a moment than following strict syllable rules. Most still use three lines, but the syllable count can vary: some aim for 17 total syllables, while others are even looser in form.

Is haiku singular or plural?

Haiku is both singular and plural. You can say “a haiku” or “many haiku.” Although there is no need to add an “s” at the end, it is common to see people casually refer to haikus.

What is the cutting word in a haiku?

A cutting word, or “kireji” in Japanese, is a category of words used as punctuation in haiku poetry. It typically creates a pause or contrast within the poem. While there is no equivalent in English, cutting words are generally replaced by punctuation like dashes, ellipses, or colons.