noun
Refers to the spice and the plant Illicium verum. Usually written in kana.
この料理にはだいういきょうが欠かせない。
Star anise is essential for this dish.
だいういきょうは中華料理でよく
Star anise is a spice often used in Chinese cuisine.
八角 is a more common word for star anise, often used in everyday contexts, while 大茴香 is a formal or botanical term.
From Chinese 大茴香 (dàhuíxiāng), literally 'big fennel'. The Japanese reading is a direct borrowing of the Chinese term.