鞘(さや)

さや
noun
sheath; scabbard; pod
tool
1. sheath; scabbard
A protective cover for a blade, especially a Japanese sword. Also used metaphorically in idiomatic expressions.
刀(かたな)を鞘(さや)に収(おさ)めた。
He sheathed the sword.
この鞘(さや)は漆(うるし)で美(うつく)しく塗(ぬ)られている。
This scabbard is beautifully lacquered.
武士(ぶし)は鞘(さや)から刀(かたな)を抜(ぬ)き、静(しず)かに構(かま)えた。
The samurai drew his sword from the scabbard and quietly assumed a stance.
2. pod; hull; shell
The outer casing of beans or peas. Used in cooking and agricultural contexts.
えんどう豆(まめ)の鞘(さや)をむく。
Shell the pea pods.
鞘(さや)つきのインゲンを買(か)った。
I bought green beans still in their pods.
そら豆(まめ)は鞘(さや)から出(だ)して塩(しお)ゆでにすると美味(おい)しい。
Broad beans are delicious when removed from the pod and boiled with salt.

Two distinct meanings connected by the concept of an outer covering.

USAGE (Sense 1):
Central to Japanese sword culture. Appears in well-known idioms.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (sheath):

  • 鞘(さや)に収(おさ)める (sheathe; also figuratively: settle a dispute)
  • 鞘(さや)から抜(ぬ)く (draw from the scabbard)
  • 鞘(さや)当(あ)て (rivalry between two people, lit. scabbards bumping)

Common expressions

元(もと)の鞘(さや)に収(おさ)まる — to get back together (of a couple), literally "return to the original scabbard."

USAGE (Sense 2):
Used for beans, peas, and similar vegetables.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (pod):

  • 鞘(さや)をむく (shell pods)
  • 鞘(さや)つき (with pods still on)
  • 鞘(さや)いんげん (string beans in pods)

Related Words

Homophone: 莢(さや) (pod)
general
Added 2026.3.3 18:01 · Revised 2026.10.15 22:26
14500/14698_saya