In Japan, some small balls are called 'dango', for example, a ball made of earth (children often make it at sandboxes or beaches) is called 'tsuchi-dango' (literally, 'earth dango'); meatballs are called 'niku-dango' (literally, 'meat dango') and other foods for dishes such as dumplings and knaidlach are called 'dango' as well.
また派生して団子状の丸いもの、もしくは丸まったもののことを団子と呼ぶ場合もある（例えば土団子、ダンプリング、ミートボール（肉団子）、クネードルなど）。