General term for melons and gourds, including cucumbers, watermelons, and other cucurbitaceous plants.
In summer, my grandmother grows melons in the field.
This melon is very sweet and delicious.
瓜 (a melon/gourd) and 爪 (a fingernail or claw) are written with almost identical kanji that learners frequently mix up.
counter for small objects; counter for pieces · counter for military units · individual; one person · counter for years of age difference; counter for school years
Standard kanji spelling for melons and gourds.
Katakana spelling is sometimes used for emphasis or in informal contexts.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the specific type of melon or gourd is not important.
The origin is uncertain, but the word has been used since Old Japanese to refer to melons and gourds.
Zehneria japonica; Japanese wild gourd