Translation guide
The English word 'starch' can refer to the carbohydrate used in food, a substance for stiffening clothes, or figuratively to stiffness or formality. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
Referring to starch as a component of foods like potatoes, rice, or as a cooking ingredient (e.g., cornstarch).
The general term for starch as a carbohydrate. Used in food contexts and nutrition.
Potatoes contain a lot of starch.
Starch is a type of carbohydrate.
Potato starch, commonly used as a thickener in Japanese cooking. Often used like cornstarch.
Add potato starch to thicken the sauce.
Cornstarch, often used in Western-style cooking and baking.
Thicken the sauce with cornstarch.
Referring to starch used to stiffen clothes, especially shirts and collars.
Describing a person or behavior as stiff, formal, or lacking spontaneity.
Means stiff, formal, or ceremonious. Used for people or atmospheres.
He's always so stiff and doesn't get jokes.
Literally 'hard' or 'stiff', can describe a formal or rigid personality.
Means formal or ceremonious, emphasizing adherence to form.
Let's skip the stiff formalities.
Starch the collar stiff.
That person is too stiff, hard to talk to.