えのきたけ
enokitake
The English phrase "enoki mushroom" is えのきたけ (enokitake) in Japanese.
えのきたけ refers to the edible mushroom species Flammulina filiformis.
Meaning: Flammulina filiformis (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of えのき (enoki), which is the name of the mushroom and たけ (take), a suffix meaning mushroom.
Which one should you use?
While えのきたけ is the full name, you may often hear the shorter form えのき used in casual conversation or during cooking.
How do you pronounce it?
enokitake
Did you know?
- When talking about the 'springy' texture of えのき, Japanese speakers use the word こし (koshi), which is the exact same term used to describe the perfect firmness of ramen or soba noodles.
- While the cultivated えのき sold in supermarkets is white and thin, the wild version found in Japanese forests has a thick, brown cap and is much more prized by foragers.
- The word えのき (enoki) is also the name of a specific type of tree, the 'Japanese spikenard' or 'Enoki tree', which is a highly valued timber tree in Japan.
Examples in context
- えのきたけを買いました。enokitake o kaimashita.I bought enoki mushrooms.
- えのきたけはとても安いですね。enokitake wa totemo yasui desu ne.Enoki mushrooms are very cheap, aren't they?
- えのきたけをスープに入れます。enokitake o sūpu ni iremasu.I will put enoki mushrooms in the soup.
Example conversation
Two people are shopping together at a supermarket.
- 蓮 Renえのきたけはありますか？enokitake wa arimasu ka?Do you have enoki mushrooms?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、あちらにありますよ。Hai, achira ni arimasu yo.Yes, they are over there.
- 蓮 Renあ、見つけました！A, mitsukemashita!Oh, I found them!
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは、えのきたけが好きなんですね。Ren-san wa, enokitake ga suki nan desu ne.Ren, you really like enoki mushrooms, don't you?
