ナス
なす
noun
eggplant, aubergine
1.
eggplant, aubergine
A common vegetable used extensively in Japanese cooking. Japanese eggplants are typically smaller and more slender than Western varieties.
ナスを焼く。
Grill eggplant.
夏はナスがおいしい季節だ。
Summer is the season when eggplant is delicious.
ナスと豚肉の味噌炒めは簡単でおいしい。
Stir-fried eggplant and pork with miso is easy and delicious.
ORTHOGRAPHY:
Written in katakana as ナス or in kanji as 茄子. Both are common, but katakana ナス is standard in grocery stores and recipes.
COOKING:
Japanese eggplants (和ナス) are smaller and thinner-skinned than Western varieties, making them ideal for grilling, deep-frying, and simmering. Common preparations include 焼きナス (grilled eggplant), 揚げナス (fried eggplant), and 麻婆ナス (mapo eggplant).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ナスの漬物: pickled eggplant
- ナスの煮浸し: simmered eggplant
- 焼きナス: grilled eggplant
- 揚げナス: fried eggplant
PROVERB:
秋ナスは嫁に食わすな — "Don't let the bride eat autumn eggplant." A well-known saying with debated meaning: either autumn eggplant is too delicious to share, or it is considered too cooling for a woman's body.