Japanese word

卵

Pronunciation

Romajitamago

Meaning

  • nounegg

Example

卵を二つ買います。tamago o futa tsu ka i ma su

I buy two eggs.

Illustration for 卵 (egg)

More examples

朝ご飯に卵を食べます。asa go han ni tamago o ta be ma su

I eat an egg for breakfast.

朝ご飯に卵を一つ食べます。asa go han ni tamago o hito tsu ta be ma su

I eat one egg for breakfast.

Core concept

卵 (tamago) centers on the shell-covered object that animals produce and that people commonly use as food.

Common phrases

  • 卵を買うtamago o ka u

    buy eggs

  • 卵を食べるtamago o ta be ru

    eat an egg

  • 卵を焼くtamago o ya ku

    fry an egg

  • 卵をゆでるtamago o yu de ru

    boil an egg

  • 卵を割るtamago o ware ru

    crack an egg

Similar words

玉子tamago: A food term for an egg prepared or served as part of a meal.

Definition in Japanese

鳥などが産み、殻や膜に包まれ、食べ物にもなるもの。tori na do ga u mi kara ya maku ni tsutsu ma re ta be mono ni mo na ru mo no

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 卵 (tamago) is linked to 玉 (tama, "round object") and 子 (ko, "child"), presenting an egg as a round child's form, but the exact history is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English, everyday Japanese does not usually change the form of 卵 (tamago) for singular and plural, so the number is understood from context or stated separately.

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