also: ひらぎ
holly olive; false holly
Refers to the plant Osmanthus heterophyllus, a shrub with holly-like leaves. Often used in hedges and as a decorative plant. Not a true holly (Ilex).
庭にヒイラギを植えた。
I planted a holly olive in the garden.
ヒイラギ
At Setsubun, people display holly branches to drive away demons.
Holly olive leaves have spines.
holly (mistranslation)
Common mistranslation for English 'holly' (Ilex). True holly is 西洋柊 (せいようひいらぎ). This sense is included for awareness; avoid using ヒイラギ for Ilex unless context clarifies.
See also: セイヨウヒイラギ
クリスマスの飾りに使うのは西洋柊で、ヒイラギではない。
What is used for Christmas decorations is English holly, not holly olive.
spotnape ponyfish
A small marine fish (Leiognathus nuchalis). Also written as 鮗. Not related to the plant.
ヒイラギは沿岸の浅い海で見られる小魚だ。
The spotnape ponyfish is a small fish found in shallow coastal waters.
柊 (ヒイラギ) usually refers to Osmanthus heterophyllus, a holly-like shrub, while 西洋柊 is true holly (Ilex aquifolium) used for Christmas decorations.
The kanji 鮗 is normally read このしろ for a different fish, so seeing it does not automatically mean the spotnape ponyfish sense of 柊 (ヒイラギ).
mizuna; Brassica rapa var. nipposinica
holly and sardine charm
Japanese mahonia; Mahonia japonica
English holly; Ilex aquifolium
Katakana spelling is common for the plant and fish names; the word is usually written in kana.
Kanji form used especially for the plant; also read ひらぎ in some contexts.
Alternate reading of the kanji 柊, less common.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Rarely used kanji form.
Rarely used kanji form.
The origin of the word ひいらぎ is uncertain. It may be related to the verb ひいらぐ (to sting), referring to the spiny leaves. The kanji 柊 is a kokuji (Japanese-created character) combining 木 (tree) and 冬 (winter), as it is an evergreen that stands out in winter.