コルク

こるく
noun
cork
1. cork
The light, buoyant bark of the cork oak tree, used for bottle stoppers, flooring, and other products. Also refers to a cork stopper itself.
ワインのコルクを()く。
To uncork a wine bottle.
コルクの(せん)がなかなか()けなかった。
The cork wouldn't come out easily.
コルクボードに写真(しゃしん)やメモをピンで()めている。
I pin photos and notes to a corkboard.

コルク refers to the lightweight, elastic bark harvested from the cork oak tree, widely used for bottle stoppers, bulletin boards, and flooring. In everyday Japanese, it most often refers to the stopper itself rather than the raw material.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Dutch/Portuguese "kurk" (cork).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • コルクを()く: to pull out a cork
  • コルクを()ける: to open a cork
  • コルクで(せん)をする: to cork (a bottle)

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • コルク(せん): cork stopper
  • コルクボード: corkboard
  • コルク()き: corkscrew
  • コルクマット: cork mat (used as flooring)