どんぐり

Written forms

• どんぐりUsage55%

  Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.

• ドングリUsage41%
  kana-only spelling

  Katakana spelling, often used in botanical or children's contexts.

• 団栗どんぐりUsage4%
  ateji (phonetic kanji usage)rarely-used kanji form

  Ateji kanji form; rarely used.

• 橡どんぐり
  rarely-used kanji form

  Rare kanji form; can also be read くぬぎ or つるばみ in other contexts.

Kanji

• 団group, association
• 栗chestnut
• 橡horse chestnut

Similar words

• 栗くり

  栗 is a chestnut, which is larger and edible for humans, while どんぐり is an acorn, typically not eaten by people.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain, but it may be related to 団 (どん, round) and 栗 (くり, chestnut), referring to its round chestnut-like shape.