also: からいも
noun
Refers to the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Both readings are used, but からいも is more common in western Japan and everyday speech, while とういも is a more formal or literary reading. Cross-referenced with 薩摩芋 (さつまいも), the most common term.
See also: 薩摩芋
祖母は畑でからいもを育てている。
My grandmother grows sweet potatoes in the field.
この地方では、とういもを使った料理が名物だ。
In this region, dishes made with sweet potatoes are a specialty.
Alternate kanji spelling, more commonly read からいも.
Kana spelling for the reading からいも, common in everyday use.
The most common and standard word for sweet potato. 唐芋 is a less common synonym, often regional or literary.
唐 (とう, 'Tang' or 'Chinese') + 芋 (いも, 'potato'), suggesting an origin from China. The reading からいも uses the native Japanese reading から for 唐, also meaning 'Chinese'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.