Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for capsicum depends on whether you mean the sweet bell pepper or the spicy chili pepper. The general term ピーマン (piiman) refers to the green bell pepper, while 唐辛子 (tōgarashi) is used for chili peppers. There is no single word that covers both meanings like English 'capsicum'.
The common green, red, or yellow bell pepper used as a vegetable.
Refers specifically to the green bell pepper. It is the most common term in everyday Japanese.
Any hot pepper used for spice, such as cayenne, jalapeño, or bird's eye chili.
The English word 'capsicum' is not commonly understood in Japanese. Use ピーマン for bell peppers and 唐辛子 for chili peppers.
カプシカムは通じません。
'Capsicum' is not understood.
ピーマン is the standard green bell pepper, often slightly bitter. パプリカ is larger, sweeter, and usually red, yellow, or orange. In stores, they are labeled differently.
ピーマンは苦いですが、パプリカは甘いです。
Bell peppers are bitter, but paprikas are sweet.
ピーマンを炒めてください。
Please stir-fry the bell peppers.
Refers to the larger, sweeter, and often red, yellow, or orange bell pepper. It is less bitter than ピーマン.
パプリカは生で食べられます。
Bell peppers can be eaten raw.
Literally 'sweet chili pepper'. This is a more technical or botanical term, rarely used in daily conversation.
甘唐辛子は辛くありません。
Sweet peppers are not spicy.
The general term for chili pepper. It can refer to the fresh pepper or the dried spice.
この料理には唐辛子が入っています。
This dish contains chili peppers.
Ground red chili pepper, often used as a table condiment. It is pure chili powder without other spices.
うどんに一味唐辛子をかけます。
I sprinkle chili powder on udon.
A specific variety of small, hot chili pepper often used in Japanese cooking. The name means 'hawk's claw'.
鷹の爪を輪切りにします。
Slice the chili pepper into rings.
A blend of seven spices, including chili pepper, often used as a condiment. It is not pure chili.
七味唐辛子は香りがいいです。
Seven-spice chili powder has a nice aroma.