ピーマン
pīman[pʲiːmã̠ɴ]
The English phrase "green pepper" can be translated into Japanese as either ピーマン (pīman) or 獅子唐.
Meaning: green sweet bell pepper (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ピーマン | pīman | [pʲiːmã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 獅子唐 | shishitō |
Both terms refer to peppers, but they describe different types of produce used in Japanese cuisine.
Which one should you use?
ピーマン is the standard, everyday word for the common green bell pepper used in modern Japanese cooking. In contrast, 獅子唐 typically refers to a smaller, thinner and often spicier variety of pepper.
How do you pronounce it?
pīman
Did you know?
- The term 獅子唐 is composed of the characters for 'lion' and 'tongue', an evocative name that captures both the wrinkled texture and the sharp heat of the pepper.
- The word ピーマン actually comes from the French word piment, which means 'chili pepper' rather than the mild green bell pepper used in Japan.
- In Japan, ピーマン are almost exclusively sold and eaten while green, whereas English speakers are more accustomed to seeing them ripen to red or yellow.
Examples in context
- 今晩のディナーにピーマンの炒め物を作ります。I will make stir-fried green peppers for tonight's dinner.
- ピーマンを一つ買いました。Piiman o hitotsu kaimashita.I bought one green pepper.
- 今日の夕飯はピーマンの肉詰めです。Kyou no yuuhan wa piiman no nikuzume desu.Today's dinner is stuffed green peppers.
- ピーマンは苦いですか？Piiman wa nigai desu ka?Is the green pepper bitter?
Example conversation
Youta and Yui are shopping for vegetables at a supermarket.
- 陽太 Yotaピーマンは何個必要かな？Piiman wa nanko hitsuyou kana?How many green peppers do we need?
- 結衣 Yui三個くらいで大丈夫だよ。Sanko kurai de daijoubu da yo.About three should be fine.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、このピーマンを入れよう。Jaa, kono piiman o ireyou.Then, let's put these green peppers in.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、陽太君。Arigatou, Youta-kun.Thanks, Youta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “green pepper” translations and entries ピーマン, 獅子唐, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ピーマン, CC BY-SA 4.0.
