真桑瓜
Japanese
| Kanji in this term | ||
|---|---|---|
| 真 | 桑 | 瓜 |
| ま Grade: 3 | くわ Grade: S | うり Jinmeiyō |
| kun’yomi | ||
Etymology
A compound formed of 真桑 (Makuwa), a former village that is now part of Motosu, Gifu Prefecture, and 瓜 (uri), meaning gourd or melon.
The village of Makuwa is said to have been famous for producing exceptional quality oriental melons, to which it passed its name.
Noun
真桑瓜 (hiragana まくわうり, rōmaji makuwauri)
- Oriental melon (Cucumis melo var. makuwa)
Alternative forms
- 甜瓜
Usage notes
As with many terms that name organisms, this term is often spelled in katakana, especially in biological contexts, as マクワウリ.
References
- “まくわうり.” Kōjien. 6th ed. 2008. Print.