Kanji 子 child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM Don't confuse with からし (mustard) and 唐辛子 (chili pepper) share the kanji 辛子 /辛 and are easily confused by learners, but they are completely different spices with different heat sources.
Written identically as 芥子 , けし means the opium poppy plant while からし (also written 芥子 ) means mustard, the condiment made from a different plant's seeds.
Written forms からし Usage 30%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 辛子 is also common, while 芥子 is rare.
辛から 子し Usage 44%
Common kanji spelling, often seen in product names and menus.
カラシ Usage 18%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling, often used for emphasis or in product labeling.
芥子からし Usage 8%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; can also be read as けし (poppy).
Etymology Derived from 辛し (karashi), the classical terminal form of the adjective 辛い (karai, 'spicy, hot'), literally meaning 'spicy thing'. The kanji 辛子 is a compound of 辛 ('spicy') and 子 ('seed'), referring to mustard seeds.
Report an issue with this page
Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
