珊瑚(さんご)

珊瑚(さんご) refers to both the living marine organisms that build reef structures and the hard material (especially red coral) used in jewelry and crafts.

Writing

Often written in katakana (サンゴ) in scientific and environmental contexts, and in kanji (珊瑚(さんご)) in cultural and literary contexts.

Compounds

• 珊瑚礁(さんごしょう): coral reef
• 珊瑚(さんご)の白化(はっか): coral bleaching
• 赤珊瑚(あかさんご): red coral (precious variety)
• 珊瑚(さんご)の海(うみ): coral sea

Cultural note

Red coral has been prized in Japan since ancient times for jewelry and ornaments. 沖縄(おきなわ) and the southern islands are known for their coral reefs. Coral bleaching (白化(はっか)) due to rising sea temperatures is a frequent topic in environmental news.