Translation guide
The fruit raspberry. In Japanese, it is commonly referred to as ラズベリー, but there are also native terms like 木苺 (きいちご) and specific varieties. This guide covers how to talk about raspberries in everyday and specific contexts.
Referring to the raspberry fruit in everyday conversation, such as when talking about food, flavors, or buying them.
The most common and widely understood term for raspberry, used in menus, product labels, and daily speech.
このケーキにはラズベリーがのっています。
This cake has raspberries on it.
ラズベリージャムをパンにぬりました。
I spread raspberry jam on the bread.
A native Japanese term for raspberry, literally 'tree strawberry'. It can refer to various bramble berries, including raspberries. Less common in modern contexts but understood.
山で木苺を摘みました。
I picked wild raspberries in the mountains.
Distinguishing between red raspberries, black raspberries, and other types.
Red raspberry, the most common type. Often simply called ラズベリー.
赤ラズベリーのタルトが好きです。
I like red raspberry tarts.
Black raspberry, a distinct variety. Not to be confused with blackberry (ブラックベリー).
黒ラズベリーはブラックベリーとは違います。
Black raspberries are different from blackberries.
Referring to the raspberry bush or plant itself.
Literally 'raspberry tree', though it's a bush. Commonly used to refer to the plant.
庭にラズベリーの木を植えました。
I planted a raspberry bush in the garden.
Using the native term for the plant. More literary or traditional.
木苺の木にはとげがあります。
Raspberry bushes have thorns.
Describing the color raspberry, a deep pinkish-red.
Raspberry color. Used in fashion, design, etc.
彼女はラズベリー色のドレスを着ていました。
She was wearing a raspberry-colored dress.
Dark pink, a more general description if the exact shade isn't important.
その花は濃いピンクで、ラズベリーみたいです。
That flower is dark pink, like a raspberry.
Talking about raspberry-flavored things.
Raspberry flavor. Common on snacks and drinks.
ラズベリー味のグミを買いました。
I bought raspberry-flavored gummies.
ラズベリー is the standard modern term, while 木苺 is a traditional word that can also refer to other bramble berries like blackberries or dewberries. Use ラズベリー unless you want a rustic or literary feel.
スーパーでラズベリーを買う。
Buy raspberries at the supermarket.
昔話に出てくる木苺。
Raspberries that appear in old tales.
Raspberry (ラズベリー) is not イチゴ (strawberry). They are different fruits. 木苺 contains 苺 but refers to bramble berries, not strawberries.
イチゴとラズベリーは違います。
Strawberries and raspberries are different.
Blackberry, often confused with raspberry. Note that this is a different fruit.
Not a raspberry, but included for comparison. Use ラズベリー for raspberry.
ブラックベリーもラズベリーの仲間です。
Blackberries are also related to raspberries.