男爵(だんしゃく)

だんしゃく
noun
baron
personfood
1. baron
The lowest rank in the Japanese peerage system (華族(かぞく)) established in 1884 and abolished in 1947. Also used as the general translation for the European title of baron.
彼(かれ)は男爵(だんしゃく)の称号(しょうごう)を持(も)っていた。
He held the title of baron.
明治時代(めいじじだい)に華族(かぞく)制度(せいど)が作(つく)られ、男爵(だんしゃく)が最(もっと)も低(ひく)い位(くらい)だった。
The peerage system was created in the Meiji era, with baron being the lowest rank.
小説(しょうせつ)の主人公(しゅじんこう)はドイツの男爵(だんしゃく)家(け)の末裔(まつえい)という設定(せってい)だ。
The novel's protagonist is set up as a descendant of a German baronial family.
2. Irish Cobbler (potato variety)
Short for 男爵(だんしゃく)いも, a popular variety of potato in Japan with a floury texture, well-suited for mashing and croquettes. Named after Baron Kawata, who introduced it to Hokkaido.
男爵(だんしゃく)いもでコロッケを作(つく)った。
I made croquettes with baron potatoes.
男爵(だんしゃく)はほくほくしているので、ポテトサラダに向(む)いている。
Baron potatoes are floury, so they're well-suited for potato salad.
北海道(ほっかいどう)産(さん)の男爵(だんしゃく)いもは全国的(ぜんこくてき)に有名(ゆうめい)で、特(とく)に秋(あき)の収穫期(しゅうかくき)には多(おお)くの人(ひと)がいも掘(ほ)りを楽(たの)しむ。
Baron potatoes from Hokkaido are famous nationwide, and especially during the autumn harvest many people enjoy potato digging.

Peerage ranks

The five ranks of Japanese peerage (華族(かぞく)), from highest to lowest:

Potato usage

In everyday conversation, 男爵(だんしゃく) often refers to the potato variety rather than the noble title. The contrast pair in Japanese cooking is 男爵(だんしゃく) (floury, good for mashing) vs. メークイン (waxy, good for simmering).

Common collocations

  • 男爵(だんしゃく)夫人(ふじん): baroness
  • 男爵(だんしゃく)いも: baron potato (Irish Cobbler)
  • 男爵(だんしゃく)家(け): baronial family

Related Words

Related: 公爵(こうしゃく) (duke (highest peerage))
Related: 伯爵(はくしゃく) (count, earl)
general
Added 2026.2.26 18:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13585_danshaku