Rice ball - Omusubi

Japanese: おむすび - オムスビ

The verb "musubu" was turned into a noun, and the prefix "o" was added to indicate politeness or smallness. There are two versions, "omusubi" and "onigiri," but regionally, "omusubi" is more prevalent in eastern Japan, and "onigiri" in western Japan. It is thought that "omusubi" became more popular in the east because "nigiri" without the prefix "o" is used for Edomae sushi.

Source: "Japanese Handy Book for Quick Responses" published by Asahi Shimbun Publications Co., Ltd. Information about the Japanese Handy Book for Quick Responses

Japanese:

動詞「むすぶ」が名詞化した「むすび」に、丁寧もしくは小さいものを示す接頭辞「お」がついたもの。「おむすび」と「おにぎり」の二つがあるが、地域的には「おむすび」が東日本に、「おにぎり」が西日本にやや偏っている。接頭辞「お」を除いた「にぎり」が江戸前寿司に用いられるために、東では「おむすび」が強くなったと考えられる。

出典　(株)朝日新聞出版発行「とっさの日本語便利帳」とっさの日本語便利帳について　情報

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