1.
pod; shell; hull
The outer casing of legumes such as peas, beans, and edamame that encloses the seeds.
枝豆の莢をむく。
To shell edamame pods.
莢ごと食べられる豆もある。
Some beans can be eaten pod and all.
莢が膨らんで中の豆が大きくなったら収穫の時期だ。
When the pods swell and the beans inside grow large, it's time to harvest.
Written with the kanji 莢 (the grass radical indicates it is plant-related). This word appears frequently in cooking and gardening contexts. Not to be confused with the homophone 鞘 (sheath/scabbard for a blade).
Many common Japanese vegetables include 莢 in their names.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 莢をむく: to shell pods
- 莢ごと: pod and all; with the pod
- 莢から出す: to remove from the pod
COMPOUND WORDS:
- 莢豌豆: snow peas; snap peas
- 莢隠元: string beans; green beans (with pods)
- 莢付き: with pods still on
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 鞘: sheath; scabbard (for swords or knives — different kanji, same reading)
- 殻: shell; husk (for nuts, eggs, shellfish)