Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for corn depends on whether you mean the plant/grain, corn on the cob, or popcorn. The most common word is トウモロコシ, but コーン is also widely used in compounds and food contexts.
corn (plant/grain)
corn (in food names)
Referring to the crop, kernels, or corn as an ingredient.
Specifically referring to corn served on the cob, often grilled or boiled.
Grilled corn on the cob, a popular street food and summer treat.
The snack food made from popped corn kernels.
Describing the yellowish color of corn.
Used in fashion or design to describe a corn yellow color. Not common in daily speech.
トウモロコシ is the native Japanese word and is used for the plant and whole kernels. コーン is a loanword from English and is more common in compound words (e.g., コーンスープ) and processed foods. Using コーン alone to mean the plant can sound a bit unnatural.
This soup has corn in it.
I like corn soup.
I eat corn flakes for breakfast.
I bought grilled corn on the cob at the summer festival.
Boiled corn on the cob. Less common than grilled, but still used.
I put butter on boiled corn on the cob and eat it.
Can be used for corn on the cob when context is clear, but often specified with 焼き or 茹で.
One ear of corn, please.
The standard word for popcorn. Used in all contexts.
I eat popcorn while watching a movie.
I like this corn yellow sweater.
corn soup