さつまいも
さつまいも
noun
sweet potato
1.
sweet potato
A starchy root vegetable with sweet flesh, widely grown and eaten in Japan. Named after Satsuma (present-day Kagoshima), through which it was introduced to Japan.
焼きいもにはさつまいもを使う。
Sweet potatoes are used for yaki-imo (roasted sweet potatoes).
秋になると、さつまいもがおいしくなる。
Sweet potatoes become delicious in autumn.
子どもたちが畑でさつまいも掘りを楽しんでいた。
The children were enjoying digging up sweet potatoes in the field.
Written in kanji as 薩摩芋. Named after 薩摩 (present-day Kagoshima Prefecture), through which the sweet potato was introduced to Japan.
COMMON DISHES:
- 焼きいも: roasted sweet potato
- 大学芋: candied sweet potato
- スイートポテト: sweet potato dessert
- さつまいもの天ぷら: sweet potato tempura
CULTURE: A beloved autumn delicacy. Sweet potato digging (いも掘り) is a classic activity at kindergartens and elementary schools.