大豆
daizu[da̠izɨ]
The English word "soybean" is translated into Japanese as 大豆 (daizu). Wiktionary also lists ダイズ (daizu).
Meaning: seed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 大豆 | daizu | [da̠izɨ] (narrow) |
| ダイズ | daizu |
The term refers specifically to the soybean seed. While the word 豆 (mame) is a general term used to refer to various types of beans and legumes, including soybeans, 大豆 is the specific name for this plant. For young and green soybeans, the specific term edamame is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 大豆 is composed of the kanji 大, meaning large and 豆, meaning bean or legume.
Which one should you use?
There are two ways to write the word. The kanji form 大豆 refers specifically to the soybean plant or seed. The katakana form ダイズ is frequently used in scientific, nutritional or commercial contexts, such as on food labels or in agricultural reports.
How do you pronounce it?
daizu
Did you know?
- In Japan, there is a custom called Setsubun where people throw roasted soybeans, called fuku-mame, to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck for the year.
- The word 豆 can refer to things that are not legumes at all, such as 'bean-shaped' blisters or the small pupils of the eyes.
- The katakana version ダイズ is so common on modern nutritional labels that a reader might mistake it for a foreign loanword, even though it is just the phonetic reading of the Japanese kanji.
Examples in context
- Watashi wa daizu o tabete imasu. (私は大豆を食べています。)I am eating soybeans.
- Sono hiyoko wa mame o tabemashita. (そのひよこは豆を食べました。)That chick ate soybeans.
- 大豆はタンパク質が豊富です。daizu wa tanpakushitsu ga houfu desu.Soybeans are rich in protein.
- この大豆はとても美味しいです。kono daizu wa totemo oishii desu.These soybeans are very delicious.
- 農家が大豆を育てています。nouka ga daizu o sodatete imasu.A farmer is growing soybeans.
Example conversation
Two people are shopping at a local farmers market.
- 美咲 Misakiこの大豆、新鮮そうですね。kono daizu, shinsou desu ne.These soybeans look fresh, don't they?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、地元で作られた大豆ですよ。hai, jimoto de tsukurareta daizu desu yo.Yes, they are soybeans made locally.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、これを買って帰りましょう。Youta-san, kore o katte kaerimashou.Youta, let's buy these and go home.
- 陽太 Yota分かりました。美咲さんの好きな料理を作りましょう。wakarimashita. Misaki-san no suki na ryouri o tsukurimashou.All right. Let's make a dish that you like, Misaki.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soybean” translations and entries 大豆, ダイズ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
