たんぽぽ

たんぽぽ is the Japanese word for dandelion, a common spring flower.

Writing

Can be written as 蒲公英(たんぽぽ), but hiragana is far more common in everyday use.

RELATED WORDS (parts of the plant):

• 花(はな): the yellow flower
• 綿毛(わたげ): the fluffy white seed head
• 茎(くき): stem
• 葉(は): leaves (jagged, edible)

Common expressions

• たんぽぽが咲(さ)く: dandelions bloom
• たんぽぽの綿毛(わたげ)を吹(ふ)く: to blow dandelion seeds

Cultural note

Blowing dandelion seeds (綿毛(わたげ)を飛(と)ばす) while making a wish is a popular childhood activity in Japan, similar to Western cultures.

Functions

Dandelion leaves and roots are used in some traditional medicines and herbal teas (たんぽぽ茶(ちゃ)/コーヒー).