Translation guide
The English word 'cracker' can refer to a food item (a thin, crisp biscuit), a firework, a Christmas party favor, or a derogatory term. This guide focuses on the food and festive items, as the derogatory term is not a translation target for learners.
The speaker wants to refer to a thin, crisp baked food, often eaten with cheese or as a snack.
The standard loanword for a savory cracker. Widely understood.
I ate cheese and crackers.
Refers to Japanese rice crackers, which are a type of cracker. Not suitable for Western-style crackers.
These rice crackers are soy sauce flavored.
Sometimes used for sweet crackers, but more commonly means 'biscuit' or 'cookie'. Can cause confusion.
I'm looking for biscuits that go well with tea.
The speaker wants to refer to a small firework that produces a loud snap or bang.
The loanword for a party popper or small firework that makes a cracking sound.
We pulled crackers at the party.
Specifically firecrackers, often used in strings for celebrations. More associated with Chinese New Year or festivals.
Small, individual firecrackers that explode when thrown. Often used by children.
The speaker wants to refer to the festive item pulled at Christmas dinner, containing a paper hat, joke, and small toy.
The specific term for a Christmas cracker. Use this to avoid ambiguity.
We pulled Christmas crackers and put on paper hats.
Can be used if context makes it clear it's a Christmas cracker, but may be confused with food or fireworks.
The English word 'cracker' can be a derogatory term for white people, especially in US English. This meaning has no direct Japanese equivalent and should not be translated literally. If you need to refer to a white person, use neutral terms like 白人 (はくじん).
旧正月には爆竹を鳴らす。
They set off firecrackers during Lunar New Year.
The children are playing with snap crackers.
I bought crackers for Christmas.