Translation guide
Millet is a group of small-seeded grains. In Japanese, the general term is 雑穀 (zakkoku), but specific types like 粟 (awa) and 黍 (kibi) are more common in food contexts. The choice depends on whether you mean the grain in general, a specific variety, or cooked millet.
Referring to millet as a type of grain, often in the context of health food or mixed grains.
Broad term for 'millet' and other minor grains like sorghum, amaranth, etc. Commonly used in health food contexts.
雑穀は栄養価が高い。
Millet is highly nutritious.
Specifically foxtail millet, the most common millet in Japan. Often used in cooking.
粟ご飯を炊いた。
I cooked millet rice.
Proso millet or common millet. Less common than 粟 but still used in traditional foods.
黍団子は昔話に出てくる。
Millet dumplings appear in folktales.
Talking about millet as a dish, often mixed with rice.
Rice cooked with foxtail millet. A common way to eat millet.
粟ご飯はもちもちしている。
Millet rice is chewy.
Rice mixed with various grains including millet. Often found in health-conscious restaurants.
雑穀ご飯を注文した。
I ordered mixed grain rice.
Distinguishing between types of millet for botanical or culinary precision.
Barnyard millet. Historically a famine food, now rarely eaten.
稗は昔、飢饉の時に食べられた。
Barnyard millet was eaten during famines in the past.
Sorghum, sometimes grouped with millets. Note: モロコシ is more common.
In Japan, millet is often mixed with white rice (精白米) to add texture and nutrients. 粟 (awa) is the most common variety used this way. 雑穀 (zakkoku) refers to a mix of grains that may include millet, amaranth, quinoa, etc.
English 'millet' covers many species. If you need to be specific, use the Japanese name for that variety. 粟 is foxtail millet, 黍 is proso millet, 稗 is barnyard millet. When in doubt, 雑穀 is a safe umbrella term.
蜀黍はアフリカで主食とされている。
Sorghum is a staple food in Africa.