大蒜
ninniku[ɲ̟ĩɲ̟ːikɯ̟]
The Japanese word for garlic is 大蒜 (ninniku), 蒜, 葫 or ガーリック.
Meaning: plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 大蒜 | ninniku | [ɲ̟ĩɲ̟ːikɯ̟] (narrow) [ɲ̟iɲ̟ikɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 蒜 | ninniku | [çiɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 葫 | ninniku | |
| ガーリック | gārikku | [ɡa̠ːɾʲik̚kɯ̟] (narrow) |
The word refers to the garlic plant. In modern Japanese, specifically within culinary contexts, the English loanword ガーリック is frequently used to name specific dishes or ingredients on menus.
Which one should you use?
The Japanese forms 大蒜, 蒜 and 葫 (all romanized as ninniku) are standard terms for the plant, while the katakana loanword ガーリック is typically used in modern culinary contexts, such as naming specific dishes like garlic bread.
How do you pronounce it?
ninniku
Did you know?
- One theory suggests the name ninniku originated as a euphemism for the Buddhist concept of 'patience' or 'forbearance', 忍辱.
- Some people in Japan avoid eating ninniku before a date or a business meeting to avoid the 'garlic breath' that is socially frowned upon in professional settings.
Examples in context
- ガーリックパンは好き？Do you like garlic bread?This example shows how to ask if someone likes garlic bread using ガーリック.Tatoeba #9096288 by small_snow, translation #9096285 by Hybrid
- ガーリックの臭いが嫌なの。I hate the smell of garlic.This example expresses a dislike for the smell of garlic using ガーリック.Tatoeba #11633815 by small_snow, translation #4984576 by mailohilohi
- トムはガーリックパンが好きなんだよ。Tom likes garlic bread.This example describes Tom's preference for garlic bread using ガーリック.Tatoeba #9096301 by small_snow, translation #9096286 by Hybrid
- この料理には、にんにくを使っています。Garlic is used in this dish.
- ガーリックトーストが大好きで、毎日食べています。I love garlic toast and eat it every day.
- このパスタには、ガーリックオイルがたっぷり入っていておいしいよ。This pasta has a lot of garlic oil in it, and it's delicious!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are cooking dinner together.
- 美咲 Misakiこの料理に大蒜を使ってもいい？Kono ryōri ni ōninniku o tsukattemo ii?Is it okay to use garlic in this dish?
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。大蒜をたくさん入れてね。Ii yo. Ōninniku o takusan irete ne.Sure. Please put in plenty of garlic.
- 美咲 Misaki大蒜を刻むから、ちょっと待ってね。Ōninniku o kizamu kara, chotto matte ne.Wait a moment while I chop the garlic.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。準備しておくよ。Wakatta. Junbi shite oku yo.Got it. I'll get things ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “garlic” translations and entries 大蒜, 蒜, 葫, ガーリック, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ガーリック, 大蒜, 蒜, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
