1.
grains; cereals
The collective term for cereal grains such as rice, wheat, barley, and corn. Used in food, agriculture, and nutrition contexts.
穀類は主食として大切だ。
Grains are important as a staple food.
穀類の価格が上昇している。
Grain prices are rising.
健康のために、精製されていない穀類を多く取るようにしている。
For my health, I try to eat more unrefined grains.
A general term encompassing cereal grains — 米 (rice), 麦 (wheat/barley), 玉蜀黍 (corn), 粟 (millet), etc. Commonly used in nutrition labels, agricultural reports, and food science. In everyday conversation, specific grain names are more common.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 穀類を食べる — to eat grains
- 全粒穀類 — whole grains
- 穀類の生産 — grain production
- 穀類の価格 — grain prices
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 穀物 — grain, cereal; very similar meaning, slightly more common in general contexts
- 雑穀 — miscellaneous grains (millet, sorghum, etc.); grains other than rice and wheat
- 主食 — staple food; broader category that includes grains but also potatoes, bread, etc.