Translation guide
Refers to the fruit of the Prunus mume tree, commonly known as Japanese apricot or Chinese plum. In Japanese, it is called ume, and is often pickled (umeboshi) or used in liqueur (umeshu).
Referring to the fruit itself, whether fresh, pickled, or used in products.
General term for the fruit, Prunus mume. Can refer to the fresh fruit, the tree, or processed products like umeboshi.
The Chinese plums ripened.
この梅は酸っぱい。
This Chinese plum is sour.
Specifically refers to the fruit (as opposed to the tree or blossom). Less common, but used when distinction is needed.
実梅を収穫する。
Harvest Chinese plums.
Referring to the salted, dried, and pickled fruit, a common Japanese condiment.
The most common term for pickled Chinese plums. Often eaten with rice or used in onigiri.
おにぎりに梅干しを入れる。
Put a pickled plum in the rice ball.
梅干しは酸っぱくて塩辛い。
Umeboshi are sour and salty.
Refers to plums pickled in salt, often before drying. Can be a less dried, softer version.
梅漬けはまだ柔らかい。
The pickled plums are still soft.
Referring to the sweet alcoholic drink made by steeping Chinese plums in alcohol and sugar.
A popular Japanese liqueur made from Chinese plums, sugar, and shochu or other alcohol.
自家製の梅酒を作る。
Make homemade plum wine.
梅酒をロックで飲む。
Drink plum wine on the rocks.
Referring to the flower of the Chinese plum tree, often associated with early spring.
Literally 'plum blossom'. Used when specifically talking about the flower.
梅の花が咲き始めた。
The plum blossoms have started to bloom.
More literary or formal term for plum blossom.
梅花の香りが漂う。
The fragrance of plum blossoms drifts through the air.
Referring to the tree itself.
Literally 'plum tree'. Common and straightforward.
庭に梅の木を植えた。
I planted a Chinese plum tree in the garden.
Can also mean the tree itself, depending on context.
梅はバラ科の植物だ。
The Chinese plum is a plant of the rose family.
The Chinese plum (Prunus mume) is more closely related to apricots. It is not the same as the common Western plum (Prunus domestica), which is called 西洋スモモ (せいようスモモ) or プラム in Japanese. Using 梅 for a sweet Western plum would be incorrect.
Ume blossoms are a symbol of early spring and are celebrated in festivals (梅祭り, うめまつり). The fruit is rarely eaten raw due to its sourness and slight toxicity when unripe; it is almost always processed.
梅酒を作るために梅を買った。
I bought some Chinese plums to make umeshu.
このおにぎりには梅干しが入っている。
This rice ball has a pickled plum inside.