小麦

• Reading: こむぎ
• Romaji: komugi
• Kanji breakdown: 小 (ko/shou) — small; 麦 (mugi/baku) — wheat, barley
• Pronunciation: /ko.mɯ.ɡi/

Meaning

Wheat. A cereal grain used as a staple food crop worldwide.

A noun referring to wheat, one of the world's most important food crops. Most commonly encountered in the compound 小麦粉 (wheat flour). Also relevant in discussions of allergies (小麦アレルギー = wheat allergy) and agriculture. Despite 小 meaning 'small,' the name distinguishes it from 大麦 (barley, lit. 'large wheat').

Examples

1. 小麦粉を使ってクッキーを焼いた。 I baked cookies using wheat flour.
2. 日本は小麦のほとんどを輸入している。 Japan imports most of its wheat.
3. 小麦アレルギーがある人はパンが食べられない。 People with a wheat allergy can't eat bread.

Usage Guide

Context: food, agriculture, allergies

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 小 (small) and 麦 (wheat, barley). The name 'small wheat' distinguishes it from 大麦 (barley, 'large wheat'), based on the relative size of the grain kernels.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal