How do you say "mushroom" in Japanese?

キノコ

kinoko

Noun Katakana

In Japanese, "mushroom" is キノコ (kinoko).

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Pronunciation

キノコ is written using katakana. Romanised as kinoko, it sounds roughly like "kee-noh-koh" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Kinoko in katakana is a native word but written in katakana in modern Japanese. Mushrooms hold cultural significance in Japanese cuisine.

Example sentence

そのキノコはとても便利です。

Sono Kinoko wa totemo benri desu.

That mushroom is very useful.

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How to remember キノコ

Kinoko - 'ki' is wood/tree, 'noko' is child. Mushrooms grow on trees as tree-children. Smell the earthy forest scent.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more farm words.

Questions about キノコ

How do you pronounce キノコ?

キノコ is romanised as kinoko. Say it roughly like "kee-noh-koh" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is キノコ formal or casual?

キノコ is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is キノコ written in Japanese?

キノコ is written using katakana. Kinoko in katakana is a native word but written in katakana in modern Japanese.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"Mushroom" in other languages

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