タロ芋
taroimo
The Japanese word for taro is タロ芋 (taroimo).
タロ芋 refers to the Colocasia esculenta plant.
Meaning: Colocasia esculenta (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term can also be written using the kanji form 里芋 (satoimo).
How do you pronounce it?
taroimo
Did you know?
- The term 芋 is used in the Japanese idiom 芋くさい to describe someone who is 'country bumpkin' or unsophisticated, drawing a direct line from the tuber to rural stereotypes.
- In Japanese folklore, the mythical creature Kappa is often associated with the water environments where 里芋 grows, linking the plant to supernatural nature spirits.
- In Japanese, the texture of 里芋 is often described as 'neba-neba', a term used for anything sticky or slimy, which is a highly prized quality in traditional cooking.
Examples in context
- 今日の夕食はタロ芋を使います。kyou no yuushoku wa taroimo o tsukaimasu.I will use taro for tonight's dinner.
- タロ芋の皮をむいてください。taroimo no kawa o muite kudasai.Please peel the taro.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are shopping at a food market.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さん、タロ芋はありますか？Yōta-san, taro-imo wa arimasu ka?Yota, is there any taro?
- 陽太 Yotaあそこにタロ芋が置いてありますよ。Asoko ni taro-imo ga oite arimasu yo.The taro is over there.
- 結衣 Yui本当だ！たくさんありますね。Hontō da! Takusan arimasu ne.You're right! There is a lot.
- 陽太 Yotaいいえ、あまり多くないですよ。Iie, amari ōkunai desu yo.No, there isn't actually that much.
