Japanese word

さつまいも

Pronunciation

Romajisatsumaimo

Meaning

  • nounsweet potato

Example

さつまいもは甘くておいしいです。sa tsu ma i mo wa ama ku te o i shi i de su

Sweet potatoes are sweet and tasty.

Illustration for さつまいも (sweet potato)

More examples

秋になると、さつまいもを焼いて食べます。aki ni na ru to sa tsu ma i mo o ya i te ta be ma su

In autumn, I roast sweet potatoes and eat them.

Core concept

Centers on a starchy edible root whose natural sweetness makes it distinct from the ordinary potato.

Common phrases

  • さつまいもを焼くsa tsu ma i mo o ya ku

    roast sweet potatoes

  • さつまいもを食べるsa tsu ma i mo o ta be ru

    eat sweet potatoes

  • さつまいもの皮sa tsu ma i mo no kawa

    sweet potato skin

Similar words

甘藷kansho: A formal term for the starchy edible root with a naturally sweet flavor.

Definition in Japanese

甘くてでんぷん質のある根を食用にする作物。また、その食用部分。ama ku te de n pu n shitsu no a ru ne o shoku yō ni su ru saku motsu ma ta so no shoku yō bu bun

Word origin

The name さつまいも (satsumaimo, "sweet potato") combines 薩摩 (satsuma, "Satsuma") and 芋 (imo, "tuber"). The crop reached 薩摩 from the Ryukyu Islands, giving it this name.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often call orange-fleshed sweet potatoes yams, especially in the United States, although true yams belong to a different plant group.

Word lists with this word