279
η±³
Rice, America
γγ (kome)
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
While η±³ literally means 'rice,' it is also the abbreviation for the United States in Japanese, as seen in η±³ε½ (America). This comes from the phonetic borrowing of 'America' in older Japanese.
Memory Trick
Imagine a bowl full of WHITE RICE beside an American flag. One symbol reminds you of both RICE and AMERICA.
Readings
Onyomi: γγ€ (bei), γγ€ (mai)
Kunyomi: γγ (kome)
Example Words
η±³
γγ (kome)
Rice
η±³ε½
γΉγγγ (beikoku)
United States
η½η±³
γ―γγΎγ (hakumai)
White rice
ζ°η±³
γγγΎγ (shinmai)
New rice, Beginner
Example Sentence
ζ₯ζ¬γ§γ― η±³γ γγ ι£γΉγΎγγ
γ«γ»γγ§γ― γγγ γγ γγΉγΎγγ
nihon de wa kome o yoku tabemasu
People eat rice frequently in Japan.