noun
General term for edible underground stems, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, and yams. Often used in compounds like じゃが芋 (potato) or さつま芋 (sweet potato).
晩ごはんに芋を煮た。
I boiled some potatoes for dinner.
この辺りでは芋がよくとれる
Tubers grow well around here.
noun
Derogatory term for a rustic, unsophisticated person. Often used in compounds like 芋侍 (country samurai) or 芋娘 (country girl).
彼は芋だけど、いいやつだよ。
He's a country bumpkin, but he's a good guy.
noun
dud; worthless thing
Slang for something that is a failure, useless, or of poor quality. Often used in phrases like 芋を引く (to draw a blank, to get a dud).
このくじは芋だった。
This lottery ticket was a dud.