ハーブ
hābu[ha̠ːbɯ̟]
The English word herb can be translated into Japanese as ハーブ (hābu) or 香草.
Meaning: plant used to flavour food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ハーブ | hābu | [ha̠ːbɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 香草 | kōsō | [ko̞ːso̞ː] (narrow) [ka̠ɡɯ̟sa̠] (narrow) |
The term is used to describe plants used to flavour food. In Japan, a place where such plants are grown is known as a ハーブ園 (herbal garden).
What does it mean word for word?
The literary term 香草 is composed of two parts: 香, meaning fragrance and 草, meaning grass or herb.
Which one should you use?
ハーブ is the most common way to refer to culinary or aromatic herbs in everyday Japanese. In contrast, 香草 is a more formal or literary term.
How do you pronounce it?
hābu
Did you know?
- The word ハーブ is a loanword from English, but if you use the native-sounding 香草, a Japanese person might think you are referring to traditional Chinese medicinal herbs rather than modern culinary ones.
- The kanji in 香草 actually traces back to ancient Chinese poetic traditions where certain plants were used as metaphors for the virtues of a person.
- In Japan, the phrase ハーブティー ('herb tea') is used almost exclusively for caffeine-free infusions, while tea containing caffeine is categorized as 紅茶 ('black tea') or 緑茶 ('green tea').
Examples in context
- 彼女は自然の力を信じ、薬草を使って病気を治そうとしています。She believes in the power of nature and is trying to cure illnesses using herbs.
- ハーブティーはリラックス効果があると言われています。Herbal tea is said to have a relaxing effect.
- ウチではよくハーブを使ってパスタを作るよ！We often make pasta using herbs at home!
- このハーブはとてもいい香りです。Kono haabu wa totemo ii kaori desu.This herb has a very nice scent.
- 料理に新鮮なハーブを使いましょう。Ryouri ni shinsen na haabu o tsukaimashou.Let's use fresh herbs in the cooking.
- ハーブティーを飲みますか？Haabu tii o nomimasu ka?Would you like to drink some herb tea?
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are in the kitchen preparing dinner.
- 結衣 Yuiこの料理にハーブを入れたいのですが。Kono ryouri ni haabu o iretai no desu ga.I want to put some herbs in this dish.
- 健太 Kenta冷蔵庫に乾燥したハーブがありますよ。Reizouko ni kanshou shita haabu ga arimasu yo.There are some dried herbs in the fridge.
- 結衣 Yui本当ですね。ありがとうございます。Hontou desu ne. Arigatou gozaimasu.You're right. Thank you.
- 健太 Kentaいい香りになりそうですね。Ii kaori ni narisou desu ne.It looks like it will smell great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “herb” translations and entries ハーブ, 香草, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
