インゲン

いんげん
noun
green beans
food
1. green beans, string beans, snap beans
A common vegetable in Japanese cuisine, often used in side dishes and stir-fries.
インゲンを茹(ゆ)でる。
Boil the green beans.
インゲンの胡麻和(ごまあ)えを作(つく)った。
I made green beans with sesame dressing.
インゲンは筋(すじ)を取(と)ってから調理(ちょうり)する。
Remove the strings from green beans before cooking.

インゲン is short for インゲン豆(まめ) (string beans/green beans). Named after the monk 隠元(いんげん) who is said to have brought them from China in the 17th century.

Writing

Usually written in katakana. The kanji form 隠元(いんげん) exists but is rarely used for the vegetable.

Common collocations

  • インゲンの胡麻和(ごまあ)え: green beans with sesame dressing
  • 肉巻(にくま)きインゲン: meat-wrapped green beans
  • インゲンの天(てん)ぷら: green bean tempura
  • インゲンの煮物(にもの): simmered green beans

Related words

Cultural note

Before cooking, the 筋(すじ) (strings) are typically removed by snapping the ends. Common cooking methods include 茹(ゆ)でる (boiling) and 炒(いた)める (stir-frying).

Related Words

Related: 枝豆(えだまめ) (edamame (another bean))
Related: 豆(まめ) (beans)
general
Added 2026.2.5 23:29 · Revised 2026.10.8 3:51
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