also: ひらぎ
noun
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.
ヒイラギの葉はとげがある。
Holly olive leaves have spines.
noun
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: 西洋柊
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.
noun
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.
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.