松(まつ)ぼっくり

まつぼっくり

noun

pine cone

1. pine cone

The hard, woody fruit of a pine tree, with overlapping scales that open to release seeds. A common natural object found on the ground in pine forests.

公園(こうえん)で松(まつ)ぼっくりを拾(ひろ)った。

I picked up a pine cone in the park.

子供(こども)たちは松(まつ)ぼっくりで工作(こうさく)をした。

The children did craft projects using pine cones.

湿気(しっけ)が多(おお)いと松(まつ)ぼっくりの傘(かさ)は閉(と)じ、乾(かわ)くとまた開(ひら)く。

When it's humid, the scales of a pine cone close; they open again when it dries out.

Compound of 松(まつ) (pine) + ぼっくり (an older word related to a small round/lumpy shape). The kanji form 松毬(まつぼっくり) exists but the kana form is standard.

Common collocations

松(まつ)ぼっくりを拾(ひろ)う: to pick up pine cones
松(まつ)ぼっくり工作(こうさく): pine-cone crafts (a popular kids' activity)
松(まつ)ぼっくりの傘(かさ): the scales ("umbrella") of a pine cone
クリスマスの松(まつ)ぼっくり: pine cones for Christmas decorations

Similar words

松(まつ)かさ: another word for pine cone — slightly more formal/literary
どんぐり: acorn — a different tree's nut, but in a similar "natural object you pick up outside" category

Related Words

Compare: 団栗(どんぐり) (acorn)

general

Added 2026.6.4 12:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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