卵たまご

noun

egg; spawn; roe

Only when written 卵

General biological sense for eggs of birds, insects, fish, amphibians, and similar animals. The kanji 卵 is the standard spelling for this use.

• カエルが池いけに卵たまごを産うんだ。

  A frog laid eggs in the pond.

• サケの卵たまごはイクラとして食たべられる。

  Salmon roe is eaten as ikura.

noun

egg; hen's egg; egg used in cooking

Everyday food sense, usually a chicken egg unless context says otherwise. 玉子 is often used in cooking and dish names, while 卵 remains broadly standard.

• 朝ちょう食しょくに卵たまごを二ふたつ焼やいた。

  I fried two eggs for breakfast.

• 玉たま子ごをよく溶といてからフライパンに流ながし込こむ。

  Beat the eggs well, then pour them into the frying pan.

noun

budding ...; ... in the making; future ...

Only when written 卵

Figurative pattern ...の卵 for a person who is still training or not yet fully established in a profession or role.

• 彼かの女じょは医い者しゃの卵たまごだ。

  She is a doctor in the making.

• その学がっ校こうには映えい画が監かん督とくの卵たまごが集あつまっている。

  That school attracts budding film directors.

noun

beginning; embryonic stage; origin

Only when written 卵

Less common figurative use for something still in its earliest, undeveloped state; often feels metaphorical, like 'the seed' or 'embryo' of a future thing.

• ノートには新あたらしい企き画かくの卵たまごがいくつも書かかれていた。

  The notebook contained many embryonic ideas for new projects.