How to Say "Sesame" in Japanese

ごま

goma

The Japanese word for sesame is ごま (goma).

The standard term for sesame in Japanese is ごま.

Meaning: seed (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

goma

In Japanese culture, the word ごま is used in the expression ごますり, which literally means 'rubbing sesame' but actually refers to flattering someone or sucking up to a boss.
The verb ごまかす (to deceive) comes from the idea of scattering sesame seeds on a surface to hide something underneath.
Black sesame, or 黒ごま, is not just a food in Japan but is traditionally used in certain folk beliefs to ward off evil spirits.

鍋にごま油を中火で熱し、にんにく、鶏肉を入れて炒め、色が変わったら中華スープと白菜を入れて煮る。
Heat sesame oil in the pan on a medium flame, add the chicken meat, the garlic and fry, when the colour changes pour in the Chinese soup, add the Chinese cabbage and boil.
This sentence shows how to use ごま in the context of sesame oil.
Tatoeba #75830 by bunbuku, translation #327888 by U2FS
黒ごま豆腐の作り方が知りたい。
I want to know how to make black sesame tofu.
This sentence shows how to use ごま when referring to black sesame tofu.
Tatoeba #10621269 by verdantyuu, translation #10621397 by verdantyuu
黒ごまのアイスクリームを食べたいよ。
I want to eat a black sesame ice cream.
This sentence shows how to use ごま when referring to black sesame ice cream.
Tatoeba #4609771 by nonong, translation #4610620 by doragon
この料理にはごまが使われています。
Sesame is used in this dish.
このサラダにはゴマが入ってるよ。
This salad has sesame in it.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

A couple is preparing food in the kitchen.

大翔 Hiroto

このサラダに、ごまを振ってもいい？
Kono sarada ni, goma o futte mo ii?
Can I sprinkle some sesame seeds on this salad?
陽葵 Himari

うん、ぜひ。大翔くん、お願い。
Un, zehi. Hiroto-kun, onegai.
Yes, please. Hiroto, go ahead.
大翔 Hiroto

分かった。ごま、たくさん入れるね。
Wakatta. Goma, takusan ireru ne.
Okay. I'll put in plenty of sesame seeds.
陽葵 Himari

香りが良くなりそうだね。
Kaori ga yoku narisou da ne.
It looks like it will smell great.

Sources

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