長芋 (ながいも) Japanese meaning | KotomoraFreq.FrequencyTop 100,000 Meanings
1
noun
Chinese yam; nagaimo
usually written using kana alone
A type of yam (Dioscorea polystachya) commonly used in Japanese cuisine, often grated into a sticky, slimy texture (tororo) or eaten raw in salads.
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Adding julienned nagaimo to a salad gives a crunchy texture.
薯
Usage3%
Alternate kanji spelling using 薯 (potato/yam). Less common than 長芋.
Similar words
- 山芋
山芋 is a broader term for wild yams, often more mucilaginous and stronger in flavor than the cultivated 長芋.
- 自然薯
自然薯 is a specific wild Japanese yam, prized for its intense stickiness and flavor, and is more expensive than 長芋.
Etymology
Compound of 長 (naga, 'long') and 芋 (imo, 'potato, yam'), referring to the elongated shape of the tuber.
