Conkers and Chestnuts

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。

• 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!

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