also: にっき
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to the spice cinnamon, commonly used in cooking and baking. Can also be used attributively with の.
このクッキーには肉桂が入っています。
These cookies contain cinnamon.
肉桂の香りが好きです。
I like the smell of cinnamon.
noun
cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum sieboldii)
Specifically refers to the tree species Cinnamomum sieboldii, a type of cinnamon tree. Usually written in kana in this sense.
ニッケイはクスノキ科の常緑樹です。
The cinnamon tree is an evergreen tree of the laurel family.
Katakana spelling, often used in botanical or commercial contexts.
Alternate reading for the same kanji spelling. Less common than にっけい, but still used.
シナモン is the more common loanword for the spice in everyday contexts, while 肉桂 is more traditional or formal.
The kanji 肉桂 literally mean 'meat' and 'cassia', referring to the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. The reading にっけい is the on'yomi, while にっき is a variant. The word is of Chinese origin.