Translation guide
Products taken to add nutrients to the diet, such as vitamins, minerals, or other health-related substances. In Japanese, the most common term is サプリメント (often shortened to サプリ), but other expressions exist depending on context.
Refers to pills, capsules, powders, etc. taken to supplement nutrition, often vitamins or minerals.
The most common and general term for nutritional supplements. Often shortened to サプリ in casual speech.
毎日サプリメントを飲んでいます。
I take nutritional supplements every day.
Shortened form of サプリメント, very common in everyday conversation.
このサプリはビタミンCが豊富です。
This supplement is rich in vitamin C.
Formal term for nutritional supplement, often used in official or medical contexts.
栄養補助食品として販売されています。
It is sold as a nutritional supplement.
Literally 'health food', this can refer to supplements but is broader, including functional foods. Not a direct equivalent.
健康食品 is a broader category and may not always mean 'supplement' in the pill/capsule sense.
健康食品コーナーでサプリを買いました。
I bought supplements at the health food section.
When referring to a specific kind of supplement, often used in sports or fitness contexts.
Commonly used for protein supplements, especially in fitness.
筋トレ後にプロテインを飲みます。
I drink a protein supplement after working out.
サプリメント is the everyday term, while 栄養補助食品 is more formal and often appears on product labels or in medical contexts. In casual conversation, サプリ is sufficient.
In English, 'supplement' can refer to dietary supplements, but also to things like newspaper supplements. The Japanese サプリメント only refers to nutritional/dietary supplements.
Can be used generically even for specific types, often with a descriptor.
アミノ酸のサプリメントを探しています。
I'm looking for an amino acid supplement.