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救荒作物 (きゅうこうさくもつ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
hardy plants ; emergency crops
Refers to plants cultivated as a food source during famines or poor harvests, such as millet, buckwheat, or sweet potatoes. Often used in agricultural or historical contexts.
さく
物もつ
を
植う
え
て
い
た
。
In the past, people planted hardy plants in preparation for famine.
Kanji 作 make, production, prepare Similar words 飢き 饉きん 飢饉 means 'famine', the disaster that 救荒作物 are meant to mitigate.
主しゅ 食しょく 主食 is a staple food eaten regularly, while 救荒作物 are emergency substitutes.
Etymology Compound of 救荒 (きゅうこう, 'famine relief') and 作物 (さくもつ, 'crops'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally associated with plants grown to alleviate food shortages.
