団栗(どんぐり)

どんぐり
noun
acorn
nature
1. acorn
The nut of an oak tree. A familiar sight in autumn in Japan, often collected by children.
団栗(どんぐり)を拾(ひろ)う。
To pick up acorns.
子(こ)どもが公園(こうえん)で団栗(どんぐり)を集(あつ)めている。
The children are collecting acorns in the park.
In autumn, many acorns lie scattered on the mountain paths.

Common expressions

団栗(どんぐり)の背比(せくら)べ literally means "height comparison among acorns" — used to describe people or things that are all much the same with no clear winner. Similar to English "much of a muchness."

Usage

Usually written in hiragana as どんぐり. The kanji 団栗(どんぐり) is rarely used in everyday writing.

Common collocations

  • 団栗(どんぐり)を拾(ひろ)う: to pick up acorns
  • 団栗(どんぐり)の背比(せくら)べ: all much the same, no standout
  • 団栗(どんぐり)拾(ひろ)い: acorn gathering