Translation guide
The mulberry tree and its fruit. In Japanese, the tree and fruit are usually distinguished by different words. The fruit is less common in modern Japan, so some terms may be literary or historical.
General term for the mulberry tree, especially the white mulberry (Morus alba) used in sericulture.
There is a mulberry tree in the garden.
Explicitly 'mulberry tree', used when clarity is needed.
Mulberry trees are food for silkworms.
Loanword from English, sometimes used in gardening or product names, but not common in everyday speech.
I bought a mulberry sapling.
The edible berry-like fruit, which can be black, red, or white.
Standard term for the fruit of the mulberry tree.
Mulberries are sweet and delicious.
Used for the fruit in modern contexts, especially in cafes or imported foods.
I spread mulberry jam on bread.
Technical or literary term for mulberry fruit, rarely used in conversation.
The deep reddish-purple color associated with mulberries.
Traditional Japanese color name, a dull yellowish-brown or dark reddish-purple depending on context. Rarely used in modern daily life.
She wore a mulberry-colored kimono.
Unlike English, Japanese usually uses different words for the tree (桑) and the fruit (桑の実). Using 桑 for the fruit may cause confusion.
Mulberries are not widely eaten in modern Japan, so terms like 桑の実 may sound old-fashioned or rural to some speakers. In urban contexts, the loanword マルベリー is sometimes used for the fruit in trendy cafes or health food stores.
Mulberry fruit contains antioxidants.