How to say "grain" in Japanese

• 粒つぶJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers 'grain' as a single small piece of something — a grain of rice, salt, or sand — and also beads and drops; use it when referring to or counting individual small grains.
• 木目もくめCommon
  nounRefers to the grain of wood — the pattern of fibers visible on a cut or planed surface. Use this for 'grain' in the woodworking sense, not for grains of rice or other substances.
• 穀物こくもつJLPT N3approx.Common
  no-adjectiveGrain as a crop or foodstuff — wheat, rice, barley and similar cereals — rather than individual grains; the word for 'grain' in farming, trade and diet contexts.
  あなたの菜園さいえんで作つくれる穀物こくもつや野菜やさいを食たべて生活せいかつする方ほうがずっと安上やすあがりだ。↗

  It's much cheaper to live on grains and vegetables you can grow in your garden.
• 粒子りゅうしCommon
  nounPrimarily 'particle': a tiny piece of matter, as of dust or in scientific use. Its 'grain' sense is close to 粒 but suits fine particles; for grains of rice or salt use 粒.
  空気くうき中ちゅうのごく小ちいさい粒子りゅうしがガンのもとになり得うる。↗

  Tiny particles in the air can cause cancer.
• 木地きじCommon
  nounRendered 'grain (of wood)', but its core sense is bare, unfinished wood — the plain wood surface prepared for lacquer or finish. For wood grain, 木目 is the word you want; this 'grain' sense is marginal.

Choose 粒 for an individual small grain, as of rice or salt; 穀物 for grain as a crop or food; 粒子 for tiny particles, often technical; 木目 for the grain of wood; 木地 chiefly means bare wood.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 粒つぶgrain
• 木目もくめgrain (of wood)
• 穀物こくもつgrain
• 粒子りゅうしparticle
• 木地きじgrain (of wood)
• 地肌じはだtexture
• グレーンgrain (1-7000 of a pound, approx. 64.80 mg)
• 木理もくりgrain (of wood)
• 芝目しばめgrain (of the grass)
• 石目いしめgrain (of rock)
• 粒状性りゅうじょうせいgrain
• 種物たねものseed
• 穀粒こくりゅうkernel
• 肌はだsurface
• きめgrain (e.g. wood)
• めgrain (of wood, paper)