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【No. 0542】Conkers and Chestnuts

Jun 12, 2016 14:04
The word "marron" (マロン) is often used in Japan.

And many Japanese people think that the "marron" is an English loanword, which means "栗 (クリ)."

Actually, I also thought so until today.

However, "marron" is a French loanword, which means "conker," and "栗 (クリ)" is "chestnut" in English ("châtaignes" in French).

The reason why such a misunderstanding became established seems to be that when marron glace imported into Japan, we used chestnuts instead of conkers to make it.

Nevertheless, I think chestnuts are very similar to conkers.
栗と栃の実

「マロン」という単語は、日本で日常的に使われます。

そして多くの日本人は、「マロン」は「栗」を意味する英語だと勘違いしていると思います。

実は私も今日まで、そのように思っていました。

しかし、「マロン」はフランス語で「栃の実」という意味であり、「栗」は「châtaignes(シャティ)」、英語では「chestnut」というのが正しいようです。

このような勘違いが定着したのは、日本にマロングラッセが伝わってきたとき、栃の実の代わりに栗を使ったことに由来するようです。

ただ、栗と栃の実はとてもよく似ています。

Corrections (2)

No. 1 axxman
  • The word "marron" (マロン) is often used in Japan.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • And many Japanese people think that the "marron" is an English loanword, which means "栗 (クリ)."
  • And many Japanese people think that the word "marron" is an English loanword, which means "栗 (クリ)."
  • Actually, I also thought so until today.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • However, "marron" is a French loanword, which means "conker," and "栗 (クリ)" is "chestnut" in English ("châtaignes" in French).
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • The reason why such a misunderstanding became established seems to be that when marron glace imported into Japan, we used chestnuts instead of conkers to make it.
  • The reason why such a misunderstanding became established seems to be that when marron glace was imported into Japan, we used chestnuts instead of conkers to make it.
  • Nevertheless, I think chestnuts are very similar to conkers.
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post! :)
axxman
どういたしまして!I've never heard of a "conker" before. :)
axxman
料理など余り詳しくない。
Toru
"Conker" might be a technical word.
It seems to be also called "horse chestnut." :)
axxman
I've heard of that!
No. 2 マーセル

"Marron" in French and "marrón" in Spanish both also mean just "brown" :)

Toru
Thank you for letting me know that :)
We also use "栗色 (kuri-iro)" as a kind of color that similar to brown.
マーセル
Thanks! That's what I call language exchange :P

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