How to Say "Matcha" in Japanese

抹茶

matcha[ma̠t̚t͡ɕa̠]

The English phrase "matcha" is translated into Japanese as 抹茶. If unsure, use 抹茶. Wiktionary also lists 挽き茶 (hikicha) and 散茶 (sancha).

Meaning: powdered green tea for ceremonies (noun)

Ways to say it

抹茶 refers to the powdered green tea used specifically in tea ceremonies. You may also see the term 抹茶ラテ used to refer to a matcha latte.

The word 抹茶 is composed of two kanji: 抹, which means to grind or rub and 茶, which means tea, literally translating to "ground tea".

While 抹茶 refers specifically to the fine powder used in ceremonies, 挽き茶 (hikicha) is a more general term for any ground tea.

matcha

In a formal setting, guests are expected to rotate the bowl of 抹茶 twice to avoid drinking from the 'front' or most decorative side as a sign of humility.
The powder for 抹茶 is ground using a stone mill, a process that is so slow that it can take an hour to produce just 30 grams of tea.
To produce 抹茶, tea bushes are shaded from sunlight for weeks before harvest to increase the levels of chlorophyll and L-theanine.

「なんでもかんでも、抹茶味にすればいいってもんじゃないよ」「思う。思う」
"Not everything needs to be matcha-flavored." "You are so right. So right."
This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the term 抹茶 when discussing flavors.
Tatoeba #10989331 by small_snow, translation #12977894 by urro
お茶会で抹茶をいただきました。
I had matcha at the tea ceremony.
社長に抹茶をお出ししましょう。
Let's serve matcha to the company president.
大好きなお抹茶を飲もう！
Let's drink our favorite matcha!
お店で抹茶のアイスクリームを買った。
I bought matcha ice cream at the store.
今日は抹茶ラテを飲むつもりだ。
I intend to have matcha latte today.
抹茶ラテの作り方、教えてください。
Please tell me how to make matcha latte.
抹茶の香りはとても良いです。
Matcha no kaori wa totemo yoi desu.
The scent of matcha is very good.
この抹茶はとても高級品です。
Kono matcha wa totemo koukyuuhin desu.
This matcha is a very high-quality item.

A sunny afternoon at a traditional tea house.

陽葵 Himari

この抹茶、とても美味しいですね。
Kono matcha, totemo oishii desu ne.
This matcha is very delicious, isn't it?
蓮 Ren

はい、陽葵さんも気に入ってくれて嬉しいです。
Hai, Himari-san mo kiniitte kurete ureshii desu.
Yes, I am happy that you like it too, Himari.
陽葵 Himari

蓮さんの選ぶお茶はいつも素敵です。
Ren-san no erabu ocha wa itsumo suteki desu.
The tea you choose is always wonderful, Ren.
蓮 Ren

ありがとうございます。また一緒に飲みましょう。
Arigatou gozaimasu. Mata issho ni nomimashou.
Thank you. Let's drink it together again.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏