バター
batā[ba̠ta̠ː]
The English word "butter" is translated into Japanese as バター (batā). Wiktionary also lists 牛酪 (gyūraku).
Meaning: soft foodstuff made from milk (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| バター | batā | [ba̠ta̠ː] (narrow) |
| 牛酪 | gyūraku | [ɡʲɨːɾa̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
The word refers to the soft foodstuff made from milk. The most common way to express this is using the katakana form バター, which is the standard term you will see on food packaging and hear in daily conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
バター is a loanword from the English word "butter", adapted to fit Japanese phonology.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean butter, バター is the standard term for everyday use, whereas 牛酪 is a highly technical or archaic term that is rarely seen or spoken in modern Japanese.
How do you pronounce it?
batā
Did you know?
- In Japanese cuisine, バター is frequently paired with soy sauce to create バター醤油, a savory-sweet combination common in ramen and seafood dishes. This flavor profile is a quintessential example of 'Wafū' or Japanese-style Western fusion.
- Traditional Japanese diets did not include バター until the Meiji era, when the country began importing Western food ideas. Before this, fats were primarily derived from plant oils like sesame or rapeseed.
- The rare term 牛酪 literally combines the characters for 'cow' and 'curd' or 'cheese'. While it means butter, it shares a root with the word for cheese, reflecting how early translators grouped all concentrated milk products together.
Examples in context
- バターはどこ？Where's the butter?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of バター.Tatoeba #8649281 by small_snow, translation #1841526 by CK
- 牛乳はバターになる。Milk is made into butter.This sentence is useful for describing how milk becomes バター.Tatoeba #182279 by KK_kaku_, translation #19471 by shekitten
- バターを取ってください。Please pass me the butter.This sentence is useful for requesting that someone pass you the バター.Tatoeba #198004 by small_snow, translation #35194 by CK
- すみません、バターをください。Excuse me, please give me some butter.
- このケーキにはバターを使いました。I used butter in this cake.
- お料理にバターを入れると美味しくなるよ！Adding butter to your dishes makes them tasty!
- パンにバターとジャムを塗って食べるのが好き。I love eating bread with butter and jam spread on it.
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are making breakfast in the kitchen.
- 健太 Kentaバターはどこにある？bataa wa doko ni aru?Where is the butter?
- 陽葵 Himari冷蔵庫の中にありますよ。reizouko no naka ni arimasu yo.It is in the refrigerator.
- 健太 Kenta見つけた。これを使うね。mitsuketa. kore o tsukau ne.Found it. I'll use this.
- 陽葵 Himariパンにたくさん塗ってね。pan ni takusan nutte ne.Spread a lot on the bread, okay?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butter” translations and entries バター, 牛酪, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
