パスタ
pasuta[pa̠sɨ̥ta̠]
The Japanese word for "pasta" is パスタ (pasuta).
パスタ refers to the dish or a serving of pasta. For example, if you want to refer specifically to pasta sauce, you would use パスタソース. To order the dish in a restaurant, you can say パスタお願いします (Pasta, please).
Meaning: dish or serving (noun)
Which one should you use?
While パスタ is a general term for pasta, Japanese speakers often use スパゲッティ specifically when referring to spaghetti-style noodles.
How do you pronounce it?
pasuta
Did you know?
- In Japan, ナポリタン (Napolitan) is a popular style of 'pasta' made with ketchup and sliced sausage, which differs entirely from authentic Italian pasta Napoletana.
- In some contexts, パスタ might be associated with 'paste' in a medicinal or artistic sense, as some early borrowings were linked to the German word 'Paste'.
- In Japan, you might see 'Wafu pasta' (Japanese-style pasta) on menus, which often uses uniquely local ingredients like seaweed, miso, or cod roe rather than traditional Italian flavors.
Examples in context
- 久々のパスタだ。It's been a while since I've had pasta.This sentence shows how to express having had pasta after a period of time using パスタ.Tatoeba #11491066 by small_snow, translation #6997089 by Hybrid
- パスタを見ててくれる？Can you keep an eye on the pasta?This sentence is useful for asking someone to watch the パスタ.Tatoeba #12593360 by small_snow, translation #9974149 by ddnktr
- 生パスタはありますか？Do you have any fresh pasta?This sentence is useful for asking if fresh パスタ is available.Tatoeba #12957324 by small_snow, translation #8469489 by Hybrid
- パスタが食べたいな。I feel like eating pasta.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 美咲 Misaki今日のランチはパスタにしない？Kyō no ranchi wa pasuta ni shinai?Shall we have pasta for lunch today?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいね、パスタを食べよう。Ii ne, pasuta o tabeyō.That sounds good, let's eat pasta.
- 美咲 Misaki近くに新しいイタリアンがあるよ。Chikaku ni atarashii itarian ga aru yo.There is a new Italian restaurant nearby.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、そこに行ってみよう。Jā, soko ni itte miyō.Then, let's try going there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry パスタ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries パスタ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
