Definitions

1. noun

A type of Japanese poetry consisting of five lines with a syllable count of 5-7-5-7-7.

“She studied Japanese literature and was particularly fond of reading tanka poems.”

2. noun

A type of Japanese short poem similar to haiku, but with a more personal and emotive tone.

“The professor introduced the concept of tanka to her students in the literature class.”

3. verb

To compose or write a tanka poem.

“She spent the afternoon tanka-ing, trying to capture the essence of the season in her poetry.”