ホルモン
horumon[ho̞ɾɯ̟mõ̞ɴ]
In Japanese, offal is translated as ホルモン (horumon). Wiktionary also lists 臓物 (zōmotsu) and もつ (motsu).
Meaning: animal's organs as food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ホルモン | horumon | [ho̞ɾɯ̟mõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 臓物 | zōmotsu | |
| もつ | motsu | [mo̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
You will often see it used in the phrase ホルモン焼き, which means grilled offal.
What does it mean word for word?
ホルモン is a loanword from the English word 'hormone', though in a Japanese culinary context, it specifically refers to offal rather than endocrine hormones.
Which one should you use?
While ホルモン is used to discuss offal as a culinary item, 臓物 refers more broadly to internal organs in a biological or anatomical sense.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
もつ is an informal and casual way to refer to offal. ホルモン is a colloquial term used primarily in food contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term もつ is often used in regional dialects or when referring to street food.
How do you pronounce it?
horumon
Did you know?
- The use of 'hormone' to mean 'offal' began during the Taishō era, based on the idea that eating these organs would improve one's health by 'affecting hormones'.
- If you use the word 臓物 (zōmotsu) while eating with friends, you might sound like a scientist performing an autopsy rather than a hungry customer.
Examples in context
- 私はホルモンが好きです。I like offal.
- ホルモンを食べたことがありますか？Have you ever eaten offal?
- このレストランはホルモン料理が美味しいです。This restaurant serves delicious offal dishes.
- 昨日、美味しいもつ鍋を食べた。Yesterday, I ate delicious offal hot pot.
- もつ焼きは絶品だよ。Grilled offal is excellent!
- 日本に来たら、ぜひもつ料理を試してみてください。If you come to Japan, be sure to try offal cuisine.
- このお店のホルモンはとても美味しいです。Kono omise no horumon wa totemo oishii desu.The offal at this shop is very delicious.
- 今日の夕食はホルモン焼きにしましょう。Kyou no yuushoku wa horumon yaki ni shimashou.Let's have grilled offal for dinner today.
- ホルモンは栄養が豊富ですね。Horumon wa eiyou ga houfu desu ne.Offal is rich in nutrients, isn't it?
Example conversation
Daisho and Misaki are looking at a restaurant menu.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、ホルモンを注文しようか？Misaki, horumon o chuumon shiyou ka?Misaki, shall we order some offal?
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。ぜひお願いします。Ii desu ne. Zehi onegaishimasu.That sounds good. Please do.
- 大翔 Hirotoこのホルモンはとても人気があるらしいよ。Kono horumon wa totemo ninki ga aru rashii yo.I heard this offal is very popular.
- 美咲 Misaki楽しみです！Tanoshimi desu!I'm looking forward to it!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “offal” translations and entries ホルモン, 臓物, もつ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ホルモン, CC BY-SA 4.0.
