えだまめ
edamame
edamame is the Japanese word for green soybeans.
edamame refers to green soybeans. While it is often written in hiragana as えだまめ, it is also commonly written using the kanji 枝豆.
Meaning: green soybeans (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of eda, meaning branch and mame, meaning bean, referring to the beans that grow within the pod or branch.
How do you pronounce it?
edamame
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word mame is used in the phrase mame ni, meaning 'diligently' or 'consistently'. This comes from the idea of small, repetitive efforts resembling the small size of beans.
- The word mame is so central to Japanese culture that it appears in the name of the 'Bean Throwing' festival, Setsubun, where roasted soybeans are thrown to drive away evil spirits.
- In Japanese restaurants, you might see these served with a small pile of salt, but the salt is meant to be sprinkled onto the pods rather than the beans themselves.
Examples in context
- 今夜はお枝豆でも食べましょうか？Shall we have some edamame tonight?
- えだまめを注文しました。edamame o chuumon shimashita.I ordered edamame.
- このえだまめはとても美味しいです。kono edamame wa totemo oishii desu.This edamame is very delicious.
- えだまめはヘルシーな食べ物です。edamame wa herushii na tabemono desu.Edamame is a healthy food.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are ordering snacks at a Japanese pub.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さん、えだまめはどうですか？Ren-san, edamame wa dou desu ka?Ren, how about some edamame?
- 蓮 Renええ、えだまめを頼みましょう。Ee, edamame o tanomimashou.Yes, let's order edamame.
- 美咲 Misakiおつまみにぴったりですね。Otsumami ni pittari desu ne.It's perfect as a snack.
- 蓮 Renビールにも合いますよ。Biiru ni mo aimasu yo.It goes well with beer too.
