Translation guide
The English word 'herb' can refer to culinary herbs, medicinal plants, or botanical herbs. Japanese has several words that cover these meanings, but the most common and versatile is ハーブ (hābu), a loanword from English. This guide will help you choose the right Japanese word depending on context.
Referring to plants used for flavoring food, such as basil, rosemary, or parsley.
The most common and natural word for culinary herbs in modern Japanese. It is a loanword from English and widely understood.
This dish uses fresh herbs.
Basil is an herb often used in Italian cooking.
Literally 'fragrant plant'. It can refer to culinary herbs but is less common than ハーブ and may sound slightly formal or written.
Refers to condiments or garnishes with strong flavors, often herbs or spices used in small amounts, like shiso or green onions. Not a direct translation of 'herb' but related in culinary contexts.
Referring to plants used for their healing properties, in traditional or herbal medicine.
The standard word for medicinal herbs. It directly means 'medicine plant' and is used in contexts of herbal remedies.
This medicinal herb is effective for colds.
Also used for medicinal herbs, especially in the context of Western herbal medicine or aromatherapy. It is less specific than 薬草.
Refers to crude drugs or raw materials for traditional medicine, often dried herbs. Technical term used in Kampo (traditional Japanese medicine).
In botany, a herb is a plant that has no persistent woody stem above ground.
The botanical term for herbaceous plants. Used in scientific contexts.
Herbaceous plants are distinguished from woody plants.
General word for grass or non-woody plants. In everyday language, it can mean herbaceous plants, but it is broad and can also mean weed.
ハーブ is the most common and covers both culinary and medicinal herbs in modern contexts. 薬草 specifically means medicinal herbs. 香草 is a less common word for aromatic herbs, sometimes used in cooking but often replaced by ハーブ.
Growing herbs is my hobby.
Go to the mountains to gather medicinal herbs.
While 草 (くさ) means grass or herbaceous plant, it is not used for culinary herbs. Using it to mean 'herb' in cooking would sound like 'weed' or 'grass'. Stick to ハーブ or 香草.
I grow herbs in my garden.
This herb is good for stomachaches.
Chop the herbs and add them to the sauce.
We add shiso leaves as a condiment/herb garnish.
Brew and drink medicinal herbs.
Herbal tea has a relaxing effect.
生薬として甘草が使われる。
Licorice is used as a crude drug/herb.
This herb/plant has medicinal uses.