バナナ

• Reading: バナナ
• Romaji: banana
• Pronunciation: /ba.na.na/

Meaning

Banana. A widely consumed tropical fruit, one of the most popular fruits in Japan.

Written in katakana as it is a loanword from English (or Portuguese). Japan imports most of its bananas, primarily from the Philippines. Bananas are one of the first fruit words learners encounter and are a staple in Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores.

Examples

1. 朝ごはんにバナナを食べました。 I had a banana for breakfast.
2. バナナは安くておいしいです。 Bananas are cheap and delicious.
3. スーパーでバナナを三本買った。 I bought three bananas at the supermarket.

Usage Guide

Context: food, shopping, breakfast

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'banana,' which itself derives from a West African language (Wolof). The word entered Japanese during the Meiji era as foreign fruits became more widely available.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji era

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal