きのこ
kinoko
The English word "mushrooms" is translated into Japanese as きのこ (kinoko).
きのこ refers to funguses that are often used as food.
What does it mean word for word?
The word きのこ is composed of the words for tree, possessive particle and child.
Which one should you use?
Specific varieties have their own names such as エノキタケ (enokitake) for Enoki mushroom, マツタケ (matsutake) for Matsutake mushroom, シメジ (shimeji) for Shimeji mushroom and ヒラタケ (hiratake) for Hiratake mushroom.
How do you pronounce it?
kinoko
Did you know?
- The マツタケ (matsutake) is so prized in Japan that it is often referred to as the 'king of mushrooms' and can sell for hundreds of dollars per kilogram.
- While きのこ is the general term, many specific mushroom names end with the suffix タケ, which is a shortened form of 'take' meaning 'bamboo' or 'stalk'.
- In many Japanese forests, the word 'mushrooms' is not just a food category but is used in seasonal poetry to evoke the atmosphere of autumn.
Examples in context
- きのこの風味が好きです。I like the taste of mushrooms.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for the taste of きのこ.Tatoeba #11508341 by small_snow, translation #8908839 by dzouras
- このきのこは食べられないんだ。These mushrooms aren't edible.This sentence is useful for stating that a specific きのこ is not edible.Tatoeba #223866 by bunbuku, translation #6918942 by CK
- 木にすごく沢山のきのこが生えてます。There are tons of mushrooms in the woods.This sentence is useful for describing the presence of many きのこ on a tree.Tatoeba #11048095 by small_snow, translation #10162068 by AlanF_US
- キノコが好きです。I like mushrooms.
- まいたけは健康に良いです。Maitake mushrooms are good for your health.
- キノコを洗う前に切ってください。Please cut the mushrooms before washing them.
- たけのことキノコのスープを一緒に作りましょう！Let's make bamboo shoots and mushroom soup together!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- 健太 Kenta今日の夕食は何がいい？kyō no yūshoku wa nani ga ii?What would you like for dinner today?
- 陽葵 Himariきのこを使った料理が食べたいです。kinoko o tsukatta ryōri ga tabetai desu.I want to eat a dish made with mushrooms.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、きのこのパスタを作ろうか。jaa, kinoko no pasuta o tsukurō ka.Then, shall I make a mushroom pasta?
- 陽葵 Himariわあ、楽しみです！waa, tanoshimi desu!Wow, I'm looking forward to it!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry きのこ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
