1.
sesame, sesame seeds
Sesame seeds, widely used in Japanese cuisine as a topping, flavoring, or ingredient in sauces and dressings.
胡麻をかける。
Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
サラダに白胡麻をふった。
I sprinkled white sesame seeds on the salad.
すり鉢で胡麻をすって、和え物を作った。
I ground sesame seeds in a mortar and made a dressed dish.
VARIETIES:
- 白胡麻: white sesame
- 黒胡麻: black sesame
- 金胡麻: golden sesame
- すり胡麻: ground sesame
- いり胡麻: roasted sesame
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 胡麻をする: to grind sesame (also: to flatter/suck up)
- 胡麻油: sesame oil
- 胡麻だれ: sesame sauce/dressing
- 胡麻和え: sesame-dressed vegetables
IDIOM: 胡麻をする literally means "to grind sesame" but idiomatically means "to butter someone up" or "to flatter."