サクランボ means cherry in English.
However, it is different from the direct conversion of cherry, チェリー.
What is the origin of this word?
Which language does it originate?
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
From Japanese (and perhaps some Chinese)
There is no borrowing here, as the opening part explicitly shows Japanese sakura. The etymology is, as most often assumed,
さくらんぼ < 桜{さくら}の坊{ボウ}
, where 坊 ‘monk’ could refer to the cherries being as smooth as a monk’s shaven head. The word is still spelt 桜ん坊 in Kanji, so there is nothing really surprising here beyond kun plus on compound.
answered Jul 27, 2018 at 13:50
-
1
-
2@ajsmart: Answers do not need to resolve every part of the question (i.e., partial answers are OK).– istrasciJul 27, 2018 at 22:42
-
1This answers my question very well. I was hypothesizing that the word came from another language. The origin of this word is far more interesting than I originally thought. ありがとうございます。– Tim F.Jul 28, 2018 at 3:29
-
1In this case, 坊 is not monk but a child or a baby. ウリ坊 is a wild boar baby. It has nothing to do with a monk’s shaven head.– tttJul 30, 2018 at 16:52
-
5Monk's head, baby, they're both theories...If the experts aren't sure, how come everyone is stating it like fact without citing some kind of source. gogen-allguide.com/sa/sakuranbo.html 諸説あり– By137Jul 30, 2018 at 17:02