オレンジ
orenji[o̞ɾẽ̞ɲ̟d͡ʑi]
The English phrase 'oranges' is translated into Japanese as オレンジ (orenji).
オレンジ refers to the round, orange-colored citrus fruits that grow on trees. It is a transliteration of the English word 'orange'.
What does it mean word for word?
オレンジ is a loanword from English, written in katakana, which is the script used for foreign-derived terms.
Which one should you use?
While オレンジ refers to the common sweet orange, the native Japanese word 橙 (daidai) refers specifically to the bitter orange used in traditional decorations.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, Japanese does not use a plural suffix to distinguish between one orange and multiple oranges. The form remains the same.
How do you pronounce it?
orenji
Did you know?
- The native word for bitter orange, 橙 (daidai), is a homophone for the word meaning 'generation'. Because of this, these oranges are often planted as symbols of family longevity.
- While オレンジ is the general term for the fruit, Japanese speakers often use the word みかん (mikan) for the small, seedless satsuma mandarins commonly found in Japanese homes.
- The word オレンジ entered the Japanese language as a borrowing from English, which had previously borrowed it from Middle French.
Examples in context
- 彼はオレンジが好き。He likes oranges.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for the form オレンジ.Tatoeba #115686 by bunbuku, translation #386734 by Mouseneb
- オレンジはずっと橙色なの？Are oranges always orange?This sentence is useful for asking about the color of the form オレンジ.Tatoeba #8815957 by bunbuku, translation #7870286 by CK
- このオレンジ、おいしいよ。These oranges taste good.This sentence is useful for describing the taste of the form オレンジ.Tatoeba #10282166 by bunbuku, translation #55302 by CK
- 明日、スーパーでみかんを買ってきてもらえますか？Can you buy oranges from the supermarket tomorrow?
- 子供の頃、祖母が毎年お正月にみかんを用意してくれました。When I was a child, my grandmother would always prepare oranges for New Year's.
- 最近、オレンジジュースをよく飲むようになりました。Lately, I've been drinking orange juice a lot.
- オレンジはビタミンCが豊富なので、風邪予防に良いですよ。Oranges are rich in vitamin C, so they are good for preventing colds.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hina and Youta are in the kitchen.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、オレンジを食べていい？Youta, orenji o tabete ii?Youta, can I eat the oranges?
- 陽太 Yotaいいよ。でも、オレンジはもう少ないよ。Ii yo. Demo, orenji wa mou sukunai yo.Sure. But there aren't many oranges left.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、一つだけいただくね。Jaa, hitotsu dake itadaku ne.Then I'll just have one.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。ゆっくり食べてね。Wakatta. Yukkuri tabete ne.Okay. Enjoy them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry オレンジ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries オレンジ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
