Translation guide
A spicy fruit used in cooking, ranging from mild to extremely hot. In Japanese, the word depends on whether you mean the fresh pepper, the dried spice, or a specific variety.
Referring to chili peppers in general, especially fresh ones.
The most common word for chili pepper, covering both the plant and the fruit. Often used for fresh or dried whole peppers.
この唐辛子はとても辛い。
This chili pepper is very hot.
Loanword from English, used in contexts like chili powder or Western dishes. Less common for fresh peppers.
チリペッパーを少々加えてください。
Please add a pinch of chili pepper.
Specifically referring to dried, ground, or flaked chili used as a spice.
Ground dried chili pepper, often used as a table condiment. Literally 'one-flavor chili pepper'.
うどんに一味唐辛子をかける。
I sprinkle chili pepper on udon.
Loanword for chili powder, often used in Western or international recipes.
Naming a particular type of chili pepper.
Jalapeño, commonly used in Mexican cuisine.
ハラペーニョをピザにのせる。
Put jalapeños on the pizza.
A small, very hot Japanese chili pepper, often used dried in cooking. Literally 'hawk's claw'.
Habanero, known for extreme heat.
Talking about growing chili peppers or the plant itself.
Chili pepper seedling or plant.
春に唐辛子の苗を植える。
Plant chili pepper seedlings in spring.
The word ピーマン (piiman) refers to bell peppers, not chili peppers. Using ピーマン for chili pepper will cause confusion.
To say a chili is hot, use 辛い (karai). For mild, use 辛くない (karakunai) or 甘い (amai, sweet).
A blend of ground chili and other spices (sansho, sesame, etc.). Often called 'seven-spice chili pepper'.
七味唐辛子は香りが良い。
Seven-spice chili pepper has a nice aroma.
Season with chili powder.
鷹の爪を油で炒めて香りを出す。
Fry the chili pepper in oil to release its aroma.
ハバネロはとても辛い唐辛子です。
Habanero is a very hot chili pepper.