Translation guide
In Japanese, 'syrup' is most commonly expressed with シロップ, a loanword from English. There are also native terms for specific types of syrups, such as 蜜 for thick sweet syrups like honey or molasses, and 糖液 for sugar solutions in technical contexts.
simple syrup
In cooking, often just シロップ; or 砂糖水 for a basic mix.
The most common, everyday word for syrup used in beverages, on pancakes, or in cooking.
A loanword from English, widely understood and used for most syrups, such as maple syrup, fruit syrups, and flavored syrups for drinks.
I pour maple syrup on pancakes.
Refers to thick, sweet syrups, often naturally derived like honey or nectar, but can also be used for sugar syrups in traditional Japanese sweets. Less common for Western-style syrups.
Syrup used as a medicine, typically a thick liquid.
A solution of sugar in water, used in cooking, bartending, or food processing.
Literally 'sugar liquid', used in technical or industrial contexts for sugar syrups.
A very thick, viscous sweet syrup, often used in traditional Japanese sweets or as a topping.
Often used for thick syrups like 黒蜜 (brown sugar syrup) or 蜂蜜 (honey). Implies a rich, dense sweetness.
シロップ is the general loanword for most syrups, especially Western-style. 蜜 is used for thick, traditional Japanese syrups or natural sweet liquids like nectar. Use シロップ for maple syrup, flavored syrups, and medicines; use 蜜 for 黒蜜, 蜂蜜, or flower nectar.
This cocktail contains grenadine syrup.
I put strawberry syrup on shaved ice.
I had a cough, so I took some cough syrup.
A pharmaceutical term for syrup-based medicine. Used in medical contexts.
Please take this syrup medicine after meals.
Sugar syrup is used in canned fruit.
Literally 'sugar water', a simple mixture of sugar and water. More casual and less precise than 糖液.
I made sugar water and added it to the lemonade.
In cooking contexts, シロップ can also refer to simple syrup, especially in recipes for sweets or drinks.
To make syrup, dissolve equal amounts of sugar and water by heating.
I eat warabimochi with brown sugar syrup.
Can also be used for thick syrups, but 蜜 is more common for traditional Japanese contexts.
This syrup is very rich and goes well with pancakes.