赤あか玉だま

noun

red ball; amber; jasper

Refers to a red spherical object, or specifically to amber or jasper as gemstones. The gemstone meanings are less common in everyday use.

• 子こ供どもが赤あか玉だまで遊あそんでいる。

  The child is playing with a red ball.

noun

patent medicine

Archaic term for a type of patent medicine, historically sold as a red pill or ball. Not used in modern Japanese.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいには赤あか玉だまと呼よばれる薬くすりが売うられていた。

  In the Edo period, a medicine called akadama was sold.

noun

Akadama (brand of sweet wine)

Refers specifically to the brand of sweet red wine 'Akadama' (赤玉ポートワイン), well-known in Japan.

• 赤あか玉だまは甘あま口くちのワインで、お湯ゆ割わりにして飲のむこともある。

  Akadama is a sweet wine, sometimes drunk mixed with hot water.