豆(まめ)

まめ

noun

bean, pea; miniature (as a prefix)

1. bean, pea, legume

Edible seeds of leguminous plants.

To eat beans.

We throw beans on Setsubun.

Traditional Japanese custom

Edamame goes well with beer.

Natto is made from soybeans.

Throwing beans while saying 'Demons out!' on Setsubun is a Japanese tradition.

2. miniature, small

As a prefix, indicates something small or compact.

I bought a small light bulb.

豆(まめ)〜 = miniature ~

This is a fun fact.

豆(まめ)知識(ちしき) = trivia

I carry around a pocket dictionary.

He knows a lot of trivia, so his stories are always interesting.

This miniature book is small and easy to fit in a bag.

USAGE (sense 2, as a prefix):
豆(まめ)〜 can mean "miniature" or "small":

On 節分(せつぶん), beans are thrown while saying「鬼(おに)は外(そと)！福(ふく)は内(うち)！」(Demons out! Good fortune in!) to ward off evil.

まめ written in kana is usually a different word: まめな人(ひと) is a diligent, attentive person.
マメ in katakana is a blister (足(あし)にマメができる).

Related Words

core

Added 2026.1.12 21:48 · Revised 2026.10.15 10:07

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