How to Say "Lettuce" in Japanese

レタス

retasu[ɾe̞ta̠sɨ]

The English word "lettuce" is translated into Japanese as レタス (retasu).

レタス refers to the leaves of the lettuce plant, eaten as a vegetable or dish.

Meaning: the leaves of the lettuce plant, eaten as a vegetable or dish (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

The romanization is retasu.

In some Japanese culinary contexts, レタス is used as a decorative bed for fried foods like 'tonkatsu' to absorb excess oil and provide a color contrast.
In Japan, レタス is often served as a foundational layer in 'thousand island' style salads, but it is also common to find it used as a wrap for grilled meats, similar to Korean 'ssam' culture.
Unlike in English where 'lettuce' is an uncountable noun, in Japanese, you can count individual heads of レタス using the counter 玉, pronounced 'tama'.

トムはレタスを千切りにした。
Tom shredded the lettuce.
This sentence is useful for describing how someone shredded the レタス.
Tatoeba #2527114 by tommy_san, translation #1164166 by CK
レタスは洗ったほうがいいの？
Should I wash the lettuce?
This sentence is useful for asking if one should wash the レタス.
Tatoeba #8603099 by bunbuku, translation #3932276 by jm
キャベツとレタスって何が違うの？
What's the difference between cabbage and lettuce?
This sentence is useful for asking about the difference between cabbage and レタス.
Tatoeba #2702350 by tommy_san, translation #2703324 by WestofEden
私はレタスを食べます。
I eat lettuce.
あなたはレタスが好きですか？
Do you like lettuce?
4 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yota and Himari are preparing a salad together in the kitchen.

陽太 Yota

レタスを洗ってくれる？
retasu o aratte kureru?
Could you wash the lettuce?
陽葵 Himari

いいよ。レタスはどこにある？
ii yo. retasu wa doko ni aru?
Sure. Where is the lettuce?
陽太 Yota

冷蔵庫の中に置いてあるよ。
reizōko no naka ni oite aru yo.
It's in the refrigerator.
陽葵 Himari

わかった。すぐに洗うね。
wakatta. sugu ni arau ne.
Got it. I'll wash it right away.

Sources

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