also: シャボテン
noun
General term for cactus plants. The word is usually written in katakana.
窓辺に小さなサボテンを置いている。
I keep a small cactus by the window.
サボテンは水をあまり必要としない。
Cacti don't need much water.
Rare kanji form; the reading サボテン is a jukujikun.
Rare kanji form; the reading サボテン is a jukujikun.
Possibly from Portuguese 'sabão' (soap), though the exact derivation is uncertain. The word is a loanword adapted into Japanese.