Japanese Conversation · Level 4
86 words
Japanese word
かぼちゃ
Pronunciation
Romajikabocha
Meaning
- nounpumpkin
Example
このかぼちゃは甘いです。ko no ka bo cha wa ama i de su
This pumpkin is sweet.
More examples
母は夕食にかぼちゃを煮ます。haha wa yū shoku ni ka bo cha o ni ma su
My mother simmers pumpkin for dinner.
Core concept
Centers on a hard-skinned squash with sweet flesh that is valued as a food.
Common phrases
かぼちゃを切るka bo cha o ki ru
cut a pumpkin
かぼちゃ料理ka bo cha ryō ri
pumpkin dish
Definition in Japanese
甘みがあり、煮物や菓子などに用いる、皮が硬く中身が黄色い野菜。ama mi ga a ri ni mono ya ka shi na do ni mochi i ru kawa ga kata ku naka mi ga ki iro i ya sai
Word origin
The noun かぼちゃ (kabocha), meaning "pumpkin", is traditionally linked to Portuguese Camboja, "Cambodia", the name associated with its arrival in Japan in the 16th century.
Usage tips
- In English, かぼちゃ (kabocha) is also used as a loanword for a Japanese squash, especially in recipes, where its name distinguishes it from familiar orange pumpkins.
Other meanings
- squashnoun