すいか

noun

watermelon

1. watermelon

A large, round fruit with green skin, red flesh, and black seeds. A summer staple in Japan.

夏(なつ)はすいかがおいしいです。

Watermelon is delicious in summer.

すいかを切(き)って食(た)べましょう。

Let's cut and eat the watermelon.

海(うみ)ですいか割(わ)りをしました。

We played watermelon splitting at the beach.

すいかは水分(すいぶん)が多(おお)くて、暑(あつ)い日(ひ)にぴったりです。

Watermelon has a lot of water content, so it's perfect for hot days.

冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)で冷(ひ)やしたすいかは最高(さいこう)においしいです。

Watermelon that's been chilled in the refrigerator is incredibly delicious.

すいか (also written 西瓜(すいか), meaning 'western melon' from Chinese) is a quintessential summer fruit in Japan. It's associated with 夏(なつ) (summer), beach outings, and 花火(はなび) (fireworks) gatherings.

WORD FORMATION:

西(せい) (west) + 瓜(か) (melon) = 'western melon' (originated from western Asia/Africa)

CULTURAL NOTES:

すいか割(わ)り (watermelon splitting): Traditional beach game where blindfolded participants try to smash a watermelon with a stick while others give directions
Japanese watermelons are often round and can be very expensive, especially gift-quality ones
Square watermelons exist as novelty items

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

すいかを切(き)る: to cut watermelon
すいかの種(たね): watermelon seeds
冷(つめ)たいすいか: cold watermelon

RELATED WORDS:

メロン: melon (cantaloupe type)
果物(くだもの): fruit
夏(なつ)の風物詩(ふうぶつし): summer tradition/symbol

core

Added 2026.1.7 21:01 · Revised 2026.2.23 23:09

01000/01059_suika