ライム
raimu[ɾa̠imɯ̟]
The English word "lime" is translated into Japanese as ライム (raimu).
ライム refers to the green citrus fruit. It is a loanword from English and is written in Katakana.
Meaning: green citrus fruit (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
raimu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word ライム is a homophone for the English word 'rhyme'. Because Katakana does not distinguish between the 'L' and 'R' sounds, both words are written and pronounced exactly the same way.
- Japanese has no single word for 'lime' that covers both the fruit and the mineral. While the fruit is ライム, the chemical substance used in construction is called 石灰.
- If you are looking for a lime in a traditional Japanese market, you might actually find スダチ (Sudachi) instead. These are native green citrus fruits that often serve the same functional purpose in cooking.
Examples in context
- これはライムの木です。This is a lime tree.This sentence is useful for identifying a ライム tree.Tatoeba #9769393 by dotheduyet1999, translation #8106463 by iT4LL
- その女は出てきたジンライムを一口で飲み干した。The woman downed the gin and lime that was served in one swallow.This sentence is useful for describing a drink containing ライム.Tatoeba #422031 by blay_paul, translation #422032 by blay_paul
- お料理にはライムが必要です。Lime is necessary for the dish.
- 今日のカクテルにライムを忘れた。I forgot the lime in today's cocktail.
- フィッシュタコスにライムを絞って食べるのが好き。I like to squeeze lime on fish tacos and eat them.
- ライムを絞ると、とてもいい香りがします。raimu o shiboru to, totemo ii kaori ga shimasu.When you squeeze a lime, it has a very nice scent.
Example conversation
Two people are making drinks at a home bar.
- 陽葵 Himariこのカクテルにライムは入っていますか？kono kakuteru ni raimu wa haitte imasu ka?Is there lime in this cocktail?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、半分くらい入っていますよ。hai, hanbun kurai haitte imasu yo.Yes, there is about half of one in it.
- 陽葵 Himari酸味が効いていて、すごく美味しいです。sanmi ga kiite ite, sugoku oishii desu.The acidity makes it really delicious.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さんが気に入ってくれて良かったです。himari-san ga kiniitte kurete yokatta desu.I'm glad you like it, Himari.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lime” translations and entries ライム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ライム, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
