Translation and Meaning of: 米 - kome

If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the language, you may have come across the word 米[こめ]. This small word carries an essential meaning for Japanese culture, going far beyond the simple grain we know. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday use, and even curiosities that make this expression so special. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide accurate and useful information for those who want to truly learn Japanese.

Cultural significance and importance

米[こめ] means "rice" in Japanese, but its significance goes far beyond the literal translation. Rice has been a staple food in the Japanese diet for centuries, being an integral part of the country's culture and economy. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is present in almost every meal, whether as a main dish or a side dish.

The cultivation of rice has shaped Japanese society in profound ways, influencing everything from traditional festivals to religious rituals. In many regions, celebrations such as the taue matsuri (rice planting festival) are still held to ensure a good harvest. This historical connection makes the word 米 carry significant cultural weight.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 米 is composed of six strokes and belongs to the group of the oldest characters in the Japanese language. Its origin dates back to China, where it was used to represent grains of cereals in general. Over time, the meaning specialized to specifically refer to rice in the Japanese context.

A useful tip for memorizing this kanji is to observe its structure: the upper strokes resemble rice ears, while the lower part suggests separated grains. This visual association can help students to better retain the character. It's worth noting that 米 also appears in compound words, such as 米国[べいこく] (United States), where it takes on a completely different meaning.

Everyday use and common expressions

In everyday life, the Japanese use 米[こめ] directly to refer to uncooked rice. When prepared, the rice becomes ご飯[ごはん] or 飯[めし], depending on the context. This distinction is important to avoid confusion, especially in situations like shopping at the supermarket or ordering in restaurants.

Some popular expressions include 米櫃[こめびつ] (rice storage box) and 米屋[こめや] (rice shop), showing how the Japanese vocabulary has developed specific terms around this staple food. In more formal or written contexts, you will also find variations like 白米[はくまい] (white polished rice) and 玄米[げんまい] (brown rice).

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• こめ (kome) - Rice (uncooked rice grains)
• ライス (raisu) - Rice (usually refers to cooked rice)
• 白米 (hakumai) - White rice (polished rice, in contrast to brown rice)
• 米粒 (kome-tsubu) - Grain of rice (refers to the individual grain)
• 米穀 (beikoku) - Rice grains (general term for rice products)
• 米飯 (beihan) - Cooked rice (refers to rice prepared as a dish)

米

Romaji: kome
Kana: こめ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: uncooked rice

Meaning in English: uncooked rice

Definition: Rice is a grain belonging to the Poaceae family and is widely cultivated as a staple food.

Example Sentences - (米) kome

See below some example sentences:

南米は美しい大陸です。

Nanbei wa utsukushii tairiku desu

South America is a beautiful continent.

South America is a beautiful continent.

• 南米 - name of the South American continent
• は - topic particle, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the South American continent
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 大陸 - noun meaning "continent"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

欧米の文化に興味があります。

Ōbei no bunka ni kyōmi ga arimasu

I'm interested in European and American culture.

• 欧米 - Europe and America
• の - Possession particle
• 文化 - culture
• に - particle that indicates destination or goal
• 興味 - interest
• が - subject particle
• あります - verb "to have" in the affirmative present