Translation guide
Dairy products are foods made from milk, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter. In Japanese, the most common term is 乳製品 (にゅうせいひん), but there are also more specific words and phrases depending on context.
Referring to dairy products as a category of food, such as in dietary contexts, shopping, or cooking.
The standard, neutral term for dairy products. Used in everyday conversation, writing, and formal contexts.
I eat dairy products every day.
This supermarket has a wide selection of dairy products.
Means 'dairy products in general' or 'all dairy products'. Used when emphasizing the entire category.
I don't like dairy products in general.
A more technical term, literally 'dairy farming products'. Used in agricultural or industry contexts.
This region is active in the production of dairy products.
When listing or referring to specific dairy items like milk, cheese, yogurt, etc., rather than the abstract category.
In many contexts, it's more natural to name the specific dairy products (e.g., 牛乳, チーズ, ヨーグルト) rather than using the umbrella term 乳製品. This is especially true in casual conversation or when talking about what you eat/drink.
In the morning, I have milk or yogurt.
Buy some cheese and butter.
When you need to clarify the category but also give examples, you can use 乳製品 followed by examples in parentheses. Common in written explanations.
Talking about dairy in the context of allergies, veganism, or recipes.
Means 'dairy-free' or 'contains no dairy products'. Commonly seen on food labels.
This cake is dairy-free.
Means 'dairy allergy'. Note that 乳 (にゅう) means 'milk', and is used in compounds.
Means 'to cut down on dairy' or 'to avoid dairy'. Used when someone is reducing dairy intake for health or ethical reasons.
In everyday Japanese, people often refer to specific dairy items (牛乳, チーズ, バター, ヨーグルト) rather than the abstract category 乳製品. If you're talking about what you ate or need to buy, it's more natural to name the items.
While 乳製品 is correct, using it in every context can sound stiff. For example, saying 「乳製品を飲みます」 (I drink dairy products) is unnatural; instead say 「牛乳を飲みます」 (I drink milk).
Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.) are rich in calcium.
I have a dairy allergy, so I can't eat dairy products.
I'm cutting down on dairy for my health.