Translation guide
The fruit raspberry. In Japanese, it is commonly referred to as ラズベリー, but there are also native terms like 木苺 (きいちご) and specific varieties. This guide covers how to talk about raspberries in everyday and specific contexts.
Referring to the raspberry fruit in everyday conversation, such as when talking about food, flavors, or buying them.
The most common and widely understood term for raspberry, used in menus, product labels, and daily speech.
This cake has raspberries on it.
I spread raspberry jam on the bread.
A native Japanese term for raspberry, literally 'tree strawberry'. It can refer to various bramble berries, including raspberries. Less common in modern contexts but understood.
I picked wild raspberries in the mountains.
Distinguishing between red raspberries, black raspberries, and other types.
Referring to the raspberry bush or plant itself.
Describing the color raspberry, a deep pinkish-red.
Talking about raspberry-flavored things.
Raspberry flavor. Common on snacks and drinks.
I bought raspberry-flavored gummies.
ラズベリー is the standard modern term, while 木苺 is a traditional word that can also refer to other bramble berries like blackberries or dewberries. Use ラズベリー unless you want a rustic or literary feel.
Buy raspberries at the supermarket.
Raspberries that appear in old tales.
Raspberry (ラズベリー) is not イチゴ (strawberry). They are different fruits. 木苺 contains 苺 but refers to bramble berries, not strawberries.
Strawberries and raspberries are different.
Blackberry, often confused with raspberry. Note that this is a different fruit.
Not a raspberry, but included for comparison. Use ラズベリー for raspberry.
Blackberries are also related to raspberries.