団子(だんご)

だんご
noun
dumpling, dango
1. dumpling, dango
Small, round dumplings made from rice flour, often served on skewers.
花(はな)より団子(だんご)。
Dumplings over flowers. (Proverb: Practical things over aesthetic pleasures)
Famous proverb meaning practicality over beauty
みたらし団子(だんご)を三本(さんぼん)買(か)った。
I bought three mitarashi dango skewers.
月見(つきみ)団子(だんご)を供(そな)える。
Offer moon-viewing dango.
Tradition during the autumn moon festival
串(くし)に刺(さ)した三色(さんしょく)団子(だんご)は花見(はなみ)の季節(きせつ)によく見(み)かける。
Tri-colored dango on skewers are commonly seen during cherry blossom viewing season.
白玉粉(しらたまこ)をこねて丸(まる)めてゆでれば、簡単(かんたん)に団子(だんご)が作(つく)れるので、子(こ)どもと一緒(いっしょ)に作(つく)るのも楽(たの)しい。
If you knead shiratamako flour, roll it into balls, and boil them, you can easily make dango, so it's fun to make them together with children.

A traditional Japanese sweet made from rice flour (上新粉(じょうしんこ)/白玉粉(しらたまこ)). Common types:

  • みたらし団子(だんご) (with sweet soy glaze)
  • 三色(さんしょく)団子(だんご)/花見(はなみ)団子(だんご) (tri-color: pink, white, green)
  • 月見(つきみ)団子(だんご) (plain white, for moon viewing)
  • あんこ団子(だんご) (with sweet bean paste)
  • 草(くさ)団子(だんご) (with mugwort)
  • ごま団子(だんご) (with sesame)

Typically served on skewers (串(くし)). The proverb 「花(はな)より団子(だんご)」 reflects the Japanese appreciation for practicality.

Counted: 一本(いっぽん) (per skewer) or 一個(いっこ) (individual dumpling).

Related Words

Related: 和菓子(わがし) (Japanese sweets (category))
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Added 2026.1.14 21:52 · Revised 2026.6.4 2:08
04500/04959_dango