How to Say "Green Tea" in Japanese

緑茶

ryokucha[ɾʲo̞kɯ̟t͡ɕa̠]

The Japanese phrase for "green tea" is 緑茶 (ryokucha).

緑茶 is the general term used for green tea.

Meaning: drink (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word consists of the kanji 緑, which means 'green'.

While 緑茶 is the general term for green tea, it is often used specifically to refer to non-roasted green tea.

ryokucha

In a formal Japanese tea ceremony, the preparation of 抹茶 is called 茶道 (sadō), which literally translates to 'the way of tea'. It is treated as a spiritual discipline rather than just a beverage service.
The character 緑 (midori) used in 緑茶 is also the word for the color green in general. However, in ancient Japan, this word was sometimes used to describe colors that we would now call blue.
The Japanese word for tea, 茶, is used in the word 茶道 (sadō) but also appears in お茶の間 (o-cha no ma), which refers to a living room or family gathering space.

緑茶は無理。
I can't drink green tea.
This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to drink 緑茶.
Tatoeba #12577477 by small_snow, translation #11343921 by carlosalberto
緑茶が好きなの。
I like green tea.
This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for 緑茶.
Tatoeba #10134454 by small_snow, translation #2377447 by CK
緑茶を飲んだよ。
I drank some green tea.
This sentence is useful for stating that you have drunk 緑茶.
Tatoeba #10134455 by small_snow, translation #6356385 by CK
失礼ですが、緑茶をいただけますか？
Excuse me, could I have some green tea?
緑茶は健康に良いです。
Green tea is good for your health.
15 more sentences on Tatoeba

Kenta and Misaki are at a cafe.

美咲 Misaki

何にする？
Nani ni suru?
What will you have?
健太 Kenta

僕は緑茶にするよ。
Boku wa ryokucha ni suru yo.
I'll have green tea.
美咲 Misaki

いいですね。私も緑茶にします。
Ii desu ne. Watashi mo ryokucha ni shimasu.
That's a good idea. I'll have green tea too.
健太 Kenta

じゃあ、注文しよう。
Jaa, chuumon shiyou.
Then, let's order.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏