柑橘類
kankitsurui
In Japanese, the phrase for citrus fruit is 柑橘類 (kankitsurui). Wiktionary also lists 柑橘 (kankitsu) and シトラス (shitorasu).
Meaning: fruit of genus Citrus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 柑橘類 | kankitsurui | |
| 柑橘 | kankitsu | [kã̠ŋʲkʲit͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| シトラス | shitorasu |
The term 柑橘類 is the most common way to refer to citrus fruits when discussing them as a food group or in a general biological sense. It refers to fruits of the genus Citrus.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 柑橘類 consists of 柑橘 (citrus) and 類 (category/type/kind).
Which one should you use?
While 柑橘 (kankitsu) refers to the citrus plant or fruit itself, 柑橘類 (kankitsurui) is the standard way to refer to the group or category of citrus fruits. Additionally, the loanword シトラス (shitorasu) is often used in marketing, such as for scents, flavors or cosmetics, rather than in botanical or scientific contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
kankitsurui
Did you know?
- The word 柑橘 (kankitsu) is composed of two different citrus fruits: 柑 (kan) refers to the mandarin and 橘 (kitsu) refers to the tachibana orange, a native Japanese species.
- The character 柑 (kan) has historical roots in ancient Chinese medicine, where it specifically designated a bitter orange used for medicinal purposes.
- While 柑橘類 (kankitsurui) is the correct general term, most Japanese people use みかん (mikan) as a shorthand to refer to any orange-like citrus fruit in casual settings.
Examples in context
- 柚子は柑橘類の１つです。Yuzu is a citrus fruit.This sentence uses 柑橘 to show that Yuzu is one type of citrus fruit.Tatoeba #9466950 by small_snow, translation #10210721 by terrywallwork
- 柑橘類はビタミンが豊富です。kankitsurui wa bitamin ga houfu desu.Citrus fruits are rich in vitamins.
- この店は柑橘類にこだわっています。kono mise wa kankitsurui ni kodawatte imasu.This shop specializes in citrus fruits.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are grocery shopping together.
- 陽太 Yota柑橘類はどこにありますか？kankitsurui wa doko ni arimasu ka?Where are the citrus fruits?
- 結衣 Yuiあそこの棚にありますよ。asoko no tana ni arimasu yo.They are on that shelf over there.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます、結衣さん。arigatou gozaimasu, Yui-san.Thank you, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、陽太さん。iie, Youta-san.You're welcome, Yota.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “citrus fruit” translations and entries 柑橘類, 柑橘, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
