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For the two words, _watermelon_ and _melon_ :

  * watermelon → 西瓜（すいか）
  * melon → メロン

_Watermelon_ uses hiragana, whereas _melon_ uses katakana.

Why is this set up this way? Is there a special rule that dictates the use of
katakana in the original word or something?
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2013-01-16T05:39:53.780
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2019-11-07T20:45:17.140
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etymology loanwords food
Why is watermelon written in hiragana, whereas melon is written in katakana?
西瓜（すいか）is a Japanese word, borrowed from the Chinese. It is not known exactly
when watermelons arrived in Japan, though it was most likely after the
Muromachi period (1333-1573 CE). Words which are native to Japan, borrowed
from China, or borrowed a long time ago tend to be written in Kanji and
Hiragana. Incidentally, 「西」means _west_ and 「瓜」means _melon_ or _gourd_.

メロン on the other hand is an imported word from the English _melon_. This word
refers to Muskmelons which were imported in the late Meiji (1868-1912 CE) or
early Taisho (1912-1926 CE) periods. Words which are not Japanese or Chinese
in origin are often written in Katakana.

Normally, melons which were passed to the east of the Middle East contain the
kanji 瓜（うり）and melons passed to west of the Middle East contain the word メロン.
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2013-01-16T08:02:15.147
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2013-01-17T05:04:21.217
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Im pretty sure 西瓜(suika) also borrowed the pronunciation of 西瓜（xi-gua （shi-
gua）） from China。

I'm also pretty sure Watermelons originated in Egypt, and traveled east to
China, therefore having people in China call it 西瓜 which literally means west
melon. So when Japan borrowed Chinese characters for kanji, watermelon already
existed.

If a different type of melon was imported into Japan after they borrowed
Chinese characters it will most likely be written in katakana. For example
cantaloupe(a type of muskmelon) is known as マスクメロン (masukumeron)
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answer