How to Say "Citrus" in Japanese

柑橘類

kankitsurui

The English word "citrus" is translated into Japanese as 柑橘類 (kankitsurui).

The term is used to refer to the group of citrus fruits, shrubs or trees.

Meaning: shrub or tree (noun)

Which one should you use?

柑橘類 refers specifically to the category of citrus fruits, while the shortened form 柑橘 is used to refer to citrus in a more general sense.

In the southwestern region of Japan, you may encounter the term デコポン, which refers to a large and juicy citrus fruit similar to a mandarin orange.

kankitsurui

Japanese citrus like 柚子 are often used in baths during the winter solstice, a custom called 'yuzuyu' intended to prevent colds.
The word 柑橘 (kankitsu) is composed of two kanji that actually represent 'sweet orange' and 'citron', two of the most foundational citrus fruits in East Asian history.
When describing the scent of citrus in Japan, people often use the word 'citrus-kei' (citrus-like) to describe perfumes or soaps, borrowing the English loanword rather than using the Japanese 柑橘.

レモンは柑橘類です。
Lemons are citrus fruits.
This sentence is useful for identifying lemons as part of the citrus category.
Tatoeba #12344433 by small_snow, translation #8935445 by sundown
柚子は柑橘類の１つです。
Yuzu is one of the citrus fruits.
This sentence is useful for stating that yuzu is one of the citrus fruits.
Tatoeba #9466950 by small_snow, translation #10210717 by terrywallwork
今日のデザートには、みかんのケーキがあります。
We have mandarin orange cake for today's dessert.
この庭には柑橘類が植えられています。
Kono niwa ni wa kankitsurui ga uerarete imasu.
Citrus trees are planted in this garden.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Hiroto and Yui are shopping for fruit at a market.

大翔 Hiroto

この柑橘類はとてもいい香りですね。
Kono kankitsurui wa totemo ii kaori desu ne.
These citrus fruits smell really good, don't they?
結衣 Yui

本当ですね。どれにしましょうか。
Hontou desu ne. Dore ni shimashou ka.
They do. Which one should we get?
大翔 Hiroto

オレンジなどの柑橘類を買いましょう。
Orenji nado no kankitsurui o kaimashou.
Let's buy some citrus, like oranges.
結衣 Yui

いいですね。そうしましょう。
Ii desu ne. Sou shimashou.
Sounds good. Let's do that.

Sources

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