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.
()きいもにはさつまいもを使(つか)う。
Sweet potatoes are used for yaki-imo (roasted sweet potatoes).
(あき)になると、さつまいもがおいしくなる。
Sweet potatoes become delicious in autumn.
()どもたちが(はたけ)でさつまいも()りを(たの)しんでいた。
The children were enjoying digging up sweet potatoes in the field.

Written in kanji as 薩摩芋(さつまいも). Named after 薩摩(さつま) (present-day Kagoshima Prefecture), through which the sweet potato was introduced to Japan.

COMMON DISHES:

  • ()きいも: roasted sweet potato
  • 大学芋(だいがくいも): candied sweet potato
  • スイートポテト: sweet potato dessert
  • さつまいもの(てん)ぷら: sweet potato tempura

CULTURE: A beloved autumn delicacy. Sweet potato digging (いも()り) is a classic activity at kindergartens and elementary schools.