What does haik mean?
Haik is an uncommon alternative spelling of haiku, a concise poetic form associated with Japanese verse. A traditional haiku has three lines whose morae are distributed in a five–seven–five pattern and includes a seasonal reference, often called a kigo. Because morae are not always identical to English syllables, haiku written in English may depart from the familiar three-line, seventeen-syllable pattern. Contemporary English-language haikus can also be freer in line length, subject, and inclusion of a seasonal reference. Although haik conveys the same meaning as haiku, it has never displaced the standard spelling in general use. The word is therefore useful chiefly as a historical or specialist variant, while also providing a striking example of how one borrowed poetic form can take on a life beyond its original language and literary conventions.
nounAn alternative spelling of haiku, a poetic form associated with Japanese verse. Such poems are traditionally arranged in three lines of five, seven, and five morae and usually include a seasonal reference.
- An alternative spelling of haiku, referring to the Japanese poetic form and to individual poems written in it.
"She wrote a haik about the first snowfall."
"She wrote a haik about the first snowfall."
"The workshop ended with each participant composing a haik in English."
Haiks is the regular plural of haik, but haikus is more commonly used because haiku is the standard spelling.
"The collection contains several haiks inspired by the changing seasons."
Three short lines, often five–seven–five syllables and a seasonal spark: haik can capture a whole landscape in a tiny form.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of haik
The word was borrowed into English from Japanese as haiku, the name of a poetic form written in Japanese. Haik is an alternative English spelling rather than a separate poetic form. Although it has remained in use, it never became as common as haiku in standard English.
How haik is actually used
Haik is an uncommon spelling that is chiefly encountered in dictionary references and specialist writing about poetry. Haiku is overwhelmingly preferred in ordinary English, and the plural haikus is also more familiar than haiks.
Easily confused with haik
Haiku is the standard spelling of the poetic form, while haik is an uncommon alternative spelling.
Hike means to walk a long distance outdoors, whereas haik denotes a short poetic form.