わかめ

Written forms

• わかめUsage48%

  Usually written in kana; this is the most common spelling.

• ワカメUsage44%
  kana-only spelling

  Katakana spelling, often used in biological or culinary contexts.

• 若布わかめUsage5%

  Kanji form; rarely used in modern writing.

• 和布わかめUsage2%
  rarely-used kanji form

  Rare kanji form.

• 稚海藻わかめ
  rarely-used kanji form

  Rare kanji form.

• 裙蔕菜わかめ
  rarely-used kanji form

  Rare kanji form.

Kanji

• 若young, if, perhaps
• 布linen, cloth, spread
• 和harmony, Japanese style, peace
• 稚immature, young
• 海sea, ocean
• 藻seaweed, duckweed
• 裙hem, underwear
• 蔕calyx, stem
• 菜vegetable, side dish, greens

Similar words

• 昆こん布ぶ

  昆布 is kelp used for dashi stock, while わかめ is a softer seaweed eaten directly in soups and salads.

• 海の苔り

  海苔 is dried laver seaweed used for sushi rolls and onigiri, while わかめ is a different species with a distinct texture and culinary use.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain, but the word is native Japanese. The kanji 若布 literally means 'young cloth', possibly referring to the soft, cloth-like appearance of the seaweed.