そば

noun

buckwheat (plant)

Refers to the buckwheat plant (Fagopyrum esculentum) or its grain. Often used in compounds like そば粉 (buckwheat flour).

• そばの花はなが一いち面めんに咲さいている。

  Buckwheat flowers are blooming all over the field.

noun

soba; buckwheat noodles

Only with reading そば

Abbreviation of 蕎麦切り (sobakiri). Refers to the thin Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour, served hot or cold. A staple of Japanese cuisine.

See also: 蕎麦切り

• 昼ちゅう食しょくにざるそばを食たべた。

  I had cold soba noodles for lunch.

• 年とし越こしそばを食たべる習しゅう慣かんがある。

  There is a custom of eating year-crossing soba noodles.

noun

Chinese-style wheat noodles

Only with reading そば

Used in names of Chinese-style noodle dishes, such as 焼きそば (yakisoba, fried noodles) or 皿そば (plate noodles). These noodles are typically made from wheat flour, not buckwheat.

• 焼やきそばは小こ麦むぎ粉こで作つくられる。

  Yakisoba is made from wheat flour.