茄子
nasu[na̠sɨ]
The Japanese word for eggplant is 茄子 (nasu).
The word refers to the edible fruit of the eggplant plant.
Meaning: edible fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 茄子 is the standard way to write the word using kanji, you will frequently see it written in katakana as ナス. This katakana version is common in cookbooks and on labels in grocery stores.
How do you pronounce it?
nasu
Did you know?
- The word 茄子 was once a 'nyōbō kotoba', a special refined vocabulary used by court ladies in the imperial palace.
- One theory suggests the name 茄子 comes from the phrase 'natsu no mi', meaning 'summer fruit', because eggplants are a seasonal staple.
- Historical records show that the word for eggplant has been documented in Japan since at least the 10th century.
Examples in context
- 茄子は野菜よ。The eggplant is a vegetable.This sentence is useful for identifying 茄子 as a vegetable.Tatoeba #11804143 by small_snow, translation #5308757 by Adelpa
- 今日のお昼は、茄子なんだ。Today I am having eggplant for lunch.This sentence shows how to use 茄子 when referring to a meal.Tatoeba #11804145 by small_snow, translation #8965178 by dzouras
- 一番好きな野菜は、茄子です。My favorite vegetable is eggplant.This sentence demonstrates expressing a preference for the vegetable 茄子.Tatoeba #11804144 by small_snow, translation #9167378 by rafaeldejesus8199
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are grocery shopping together.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの茄子、すごく新鮮だね。Kono nasu, sugoku shinsen dane.This eggplant is very fresh.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だ。一つ買おうか。Hontō da. Hitotsu kaō ka.You're right. Shall we buy one?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいね。茄子のお味噌汁にしよう。Iine. Nasu no omishōru ni shiyō.Good idea. Let's make eggplant miso soup.
- 美咲 Misaki賛成！楽しみだね。Sansei! Tanoshimi dane.I agree! I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eggplant” translations and entries 茄子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 茄子, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
