Translation guide
A plant with aromatic leaves used in traditional medicine and sometimes in cooking. The most common Japanese equivalent is 菖蒲 (しょうぶ), but this can also refer to the iris, so context matters.
Referring to the sweet flag plant itself, especially in botanical or herbal contexts.
The standard Japanese word for sweet flag. Note that 菖蒲 can also refer to the Japanese iris (Iris ensata), so clarify if needed.
菖蒲は湿地に生える植物です。
Sweet flag is a plant that grows in wetlands.
Scientific name, used in academic or botanical contexts.
アコルス・カラムスは薬用植物として知られています。
Acorus calamus is known as a medicinal plant.
Referring to the dried root or rhizome of sweet flag, often used in traditional remedies.
Specifically the root of sweet flag, used in herbal medicine.
菖蒲根は消化を助けると言われています。
Sweet flag root is said to aid digestion.
A term used in traditional Chinese medicine for the dried rhizome of Acorus calamus.
白菖は漢方薬に使われます。
Sweet flag rhizome is used in Chinese herbal medicine.
Referring to the use of sweet flag leaves in Japanese traditions, such as the Boy's Festival (Tango no Sekku).
In the context of the Boy's Festival, 菖蒲 leaves are used in baths (菖蒲湯) or as decorations. The word itself is the same as the plant.
端午の節句には菖蒲湯に入ります。
On Children's Day, we take a sweet flag bath.
A bath infused with sweet flag leaves, traditionally taken on May 5th.
The word 菖蒲 (しょうぶ) can refer to both sweet flag (Acorus calamus) and Japanese iris (Iris ensata). In many contexts, especially in gardening or flower-related topics, 菖蒲 means iris. To avoid confusion, you can specify 菖蒲（ショウブ）for sweet flag or use the scientific name if needed.
Sweet flag baths are said to ward off evil spirits.