1.
persimmon
An orange fruit native to East Asia, eaten fresh when ripe or dried. Persimmons are a symbol of autumn in Japan.
庭の柿が色づいてきた。
The persimmons in the garden are starting to ripen.
干し柿は甘くて美味しい。
Dried persimmons are sweet and delicious.
渋柿はそのまま食べられない。
Astringent persimmons cannot be eaten as they are.
秋は柿が美味しい季節だ。
Autumn is the season when persimmons are delicious.
田舎のおばあちゃんの家には大きな柿の木がある。
There is a large persimmon tree at my grandmother's house in the countryside.
柿 refers to persimmons.
Types:
- 甘柿 (sweet persimmon - can be eaten fresh)
- 渋柿 (astringent persimmon - must be dried or processed)
- 干し柿 (dried persimmon)
Common expressions:
- 柿の種 (persimmon seed; also a type of rice cracker)
- 柿が赤くなると医者が青くなる (when persimmons turn red, doctors turn pale - persimmons are healthy)
Counter: 個
Cultural note:
Persimmon trees are common in Japanese gardens and countryside. The orange persimmons hanging from bare branches are an iconic autumn scene. 干し柿 (dried persimmons) are made by peeling and hanging persimmons to dry, transforming astringent persimmons into a sweet treat. The famous haiku by Masaoka Shiki mentions persimmons: 「柿食えば鐘が鳴るなり法隆寺」