Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
トウネズミモチ Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
broad-leaf privet ; glossy privet
usually written using kana alone
Refers to the tree species Ligustrum lucidum, an evergreen tree native to China, often planted as a street tree or hedge in Japan. The name is sometimes contrasted with ネズミモチ (Ligustrum japonicum).
ちい
さな
黒くろ
い
実み
を
つける
。
The glossy privet bears small black berries in autumn.
Written forms とうねずみもち
Hiragana spelling, also used but less common than katakana.
唐とう 鼠ねずみ 黐もち
Kanji form is rare and mainly found in botanical contexts; learners will almost always encounter the kana spelling.
Etymology The name トウネズミモチ literally means 'Chinese mouse privet', from 唐 (とう, 'Chinese') + 鼠黐 (ねずみもち, 'privet', literally 'mouse birdlime'). The exact origin of the 'mouse' element is uncertain.
