Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for bell pepper is ピーマン, which refers specifically to the green (or sometimes other colored) bell pepper. It is a common vegetable in Japanese cuisine. Note that パプリカ is used for larger, sweeter, thicker-fleshed peppers, often red, yellow, or orange, and is sometimes translated as 'bell pepper' in English, but in Japanese they are distinct.
The standard green bell pepper used in everyday cooking.
The most common word for bell pepper, especially green ones. Used in cooking and daily conversation.
ピーマンを細切りにしてください。
Please cut the bell pepper into thin strips.
子供はピーマンが嫌いです。
Children don't like bell peppers.
The larger, sweeter, thick-fleshed peppers, often red, yellow, or orange, sometimes called 'bell pepper' in English.
Refers to the sweeter, larger, thick-fleshed peppers, usually red, yellow, or orange. In Japanese, this is distinct from ピーマン.
パプリカは生でサラダに入れます。
I put bell peppers raw in salads.
赤パプリカはビタミンCが豊富です。
Red bell peppers are rich in vitamin C.
When referring to the vegetable category without specifying color or type.
Even though ピーマン technically means green bell pepper, it is often used generically for bell peppers in everyday contexts.
このレシピにはピーマンが必要です。
This recipe requires bell peppers.
ピーマン is the small, thin-fleshed, slightly bitter green pepper common in Japanese cuisine. パプリカ is larger, sweeter, thick-fleshed, and comes in red, yellow, or orange. In English both are 'bell peppers', but in Japanese they are distinct vegetables. Use ピーマン for the standard green one, and パプリカ for the colorful sweet ones.