Translation guide
The vegetable 'leek' is commonly translated as ネギ (negi) in Japanese, but this can refer to various types of green onions. For the specific Western leek, リーキ (riiki) or 西洋ネギ (seiyou negi) may be used. In cooking contexts, 長ネギ (naganegi) or 白ネギ (shironegi) are common.
Referring to the vegetable leek in general, such as in shopping or cooking.
The most common word for green onions, including leeks. In many contexts, this is understood as leek, though it can also mean scallion or Welsh onion.
Please buy some leeks.
Literally 'long onion', often used for the thick white-stemmed variety similar to leeks. Common in Japanese cooking.
長ネギの白い部分を使います。
Use the white part of the leek.
Literally 'white onion', referring to the white stem part. Often used in recipes.
白ネギを斜め切りにします。
Slice the leek diagonally.
When you need to distinguish the Western leek from Japanese green onions.
Loanword from English, specifically for the Western leek. Used in recipes or when clarity is needed.
リーキのスープを作りました。
I made leek soup.
Literally 'Western onion', a clear way to specify the leek.
From Portuguese 'porro', sometimes used for leek, but rare and may not be understood.
In Japan, ネギ often refers to the long green onion (Welsh onion) rather than the thick, cylindrical leek common in the West. If you need to be specific, use リーキ or 西洋ネギ.
日本のネギはリーキよりも細いです。
Japanese green onions are thinner than leeks.
西洋ネギは日本ではあまり見かけません。
You don't see Western leeks much in Japan.
Leeks are often used in Spanish cuisine.