Japanese word

ごま

Pronunciation

Romajigoma

Meaning

  • nounsesame seeds

Example

サラダにごまをかけます。sa ra da ni go ma o ka ke ma su

I sprinkle sesame seeds on my salad.

Illustration for ごま (sesame seeds)

More examples

この料理にはごまがよく合います。ko no ryō ri ni wa go ma ga yo ku a i ma su

Sesame seeds go well with this dish.

Core concept

Describes tiny seeds that are sprinkled or pressed for their rich flavor and fragrant oil.

Common phrases

  • ごまをかけるgo ma o ka ke ru

    sprinkle sesame seeds

  • ごま油go ma abura

    sesame oil

Definition in Japanese

料理などに使う、香ばしい風味のある小さな種子。ryō ri na do ni tsuka u kō ba shi i fū mi no a ru chii sa na shu shi

Word origin

The Japanese noun ごま (goma) is traditionally written 胡麻 (goma), combining 胡 (ko, "foreign") and 麻 (ma, "hemp") to describe a hemp-like plant introduced from abroad.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often know sesame through "Open Sesame," while the Japanese word refers directly to the seeds commonly sprinkled on food.

Word lists with this word