Translation guide
In Japanese, 'syrup' is most commonly expressed with シロップ, a loanword from English. There are also native terms for specific types of syrups, such as 蜜 for thick sweet syrups like honey or molasses, and 糖液 for sugar solutions in technical contexts.
The most common, everyday word for syrup used in beverages, on pancakes, or in cooking.
A loanword from English, widely understood and used for most syrups, such as maple syrup, fruit syrups, and flavored syrups for drinks.
パンケーキにメープルシロップをかける。
I pour maple syrup on pancakes.
このカクテルにはグレナデンシロップが入っている。
This cocktail contains grenadine syrup.
Refers to thick, sweet syrups, often naturally derived like honey or nectar, but can also be used for sugar syrups in traditional Japanese sweets. Less common for Western-style syrups.
かき氷にいちご蜜をかける。
I put strawberry syrup on shaved ice.
Syrup used as a medicine, typically a thick liquid.
Also used for medicinal syrups, often specified with the type, e.g., 咳シロップ (cough syrup).
咳が出るので、咳シロップを飲んだ。
I had a cough, so I took some cough syrup.
A pharmaceutical term for syrup-based medicine. Used in medical contexts.
このシロップ剤は食後に服用してください。
Please take this syrup medicine after meals.
A solution of sugar in water, used in cooking, bartending, or food processing.
Literally 'sugar liquid', used in technical or industrial contexts for sugar syrups.
果物の缶詰には糖液が使われている。
Sugar syrup is used in canned fruit.
Literally 'sugar water', a simple mixture of sugar and water. More casual and less precise than 糖液.
砂糖水を作って、レモネードに加えた。
I made sugar water and added it to the lemonade.
In cooking contexts, シロップ can also refer to simple syrup, especially in recipes for sweets or drinks.
A very thick, viscous sweet syrup, often used in traditional Japanese sweets or as a topping.
Often used for thick syrups like 黒蜜 (brown sugar syrup) or 蜂蜜 (honey). Implies a rich, dense sweetness.
わらび餅に黒蜜をかけて食べる。
I eat warabimochi with brown sugar syrup.
Can also be used for thick syrups, but 蜜 is more common for traditional Japanese contexts.
シロップ is the general loanword for most syrups, especially Western-style. 蜜 is used for thick, traditional Japanese syrups or natural sweet liquids like nectar. Use シロップ for maple syrup, flavored syrups, and medicines; use 蜜 for 黒蜜, 蜂蜜, or flower nectar.
シロップを作るには、砂糖と水を同量で煮溶かします。
To make syrup, dissolve equal amounts of sugar and water by heating.
このシロップはとても濃厚で、パンケーキによく合う。
This syrup is very rich and goes well with pancakes.