かいわれ菜な

Built from

Written forms

• かいわれ菜なUsage9%

  Mixed kana-kanji spelling; very common in everyday writing and on packaging.

• 貝かい割われ菜なUsage78%

  Standard kanji spelling; 貝割れ means 'split shell', referring to the shape of the cotyledons.

• 貝かい割われ菜なUsage13%

  Variant without okurigana; less common but still seen.

• 穎割菜かいわれな
  rarely-used kanji form

  Rare kanji form using 穎 (glume/husk); it is rarely used.

Etymology

From 貝割れ (split shell) + 菜 (vegetable/greens), referring to the shape of the cotyledons resembling a split shell. The alternative kanji 穎割菜 uses 穎 (glume/husk) but is rarely used.