How to Say "Pepper" in Japanese

胡椒

koshō[ko̞ɕo̞ː]

The English word 'pepper' is translated into Japanese as 胡椒 (koshō).

胡椒 refers to the spice used for seasoning, such as black or white pepper. Other terms like スパイス (spice) or 調味料 (seasoning) are more general.

Meaning: spice (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 胡椒 (koshō) specifically refers to black or white pepper, the word 唐辛子 (tōgarashi) is used to refer specifically to chili peppers.

koshō

The first character in 胡椒 is 胡, a term historically used to refer to people from Central Asia and the West. It essentially labels the spice as a 'foreign' or 'barbarian' pepper.
The word 胡椒 was once so valuable in Japan that it was treated as a medicine and a luxury item for the elite rather than a common table condiment.
While 胡椒 is for seasoning, Japanese speakers use the word ピリリ (piriri) as an onomatopoeia to describe the sharp, tingling sting of pepper on the tongue.

もう少し胡椒を入れて。
Add a little more pepper.
This sentence is useful for asking someone to add more of the 胡椒.
Tatoeba #10388960 by small_snow, translation #31307 by CK
塩胡椒で味を調えます。
Add salt and pepper to taste.
This sentence shows how to use 胡椒 when seasoning with salt.
Tatoeba #11583791 by small_snow, translation #64499 by CK
塩・胡椒で味を調え、ナツメグを一つまみ加えましょう。
Season with salt and pepper and add a pinch of nutmeg.
This sentence demonstrates using 胡椒 alongside salt and nutmeg for seasoning.
Tatoeba #11582852 by small_snow, translation #10782330 by sundown
こしょうをさがしています。
I'm looking for pepper.
ピーマンとにんじんを炒めます。
I'm stir-frying bell peppers and carrots.
こしょうをお探しですか？
Are you looking for pepper?
本日のグリル野菜はピーマンとにんじんです。
Today's grilled vegetables include bell peppers and carrots.
6 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiyori and Yota are seasoning food in the kitchen.

陽葵 Himari

胡椒はどこにある？
Koshō wa doko ni aru?
Where is the pepper?
陽太 Yota

あそこにあるよ。
Asoko ni aru yo.
It is over there.
陽葵 Himari

ありがとう。胡椒をたくさんかけるね。
Arigatō. Koshō o takusan kakeru ne.
Thanks. I'll put a lot of pepper on it.
陽太 Yota

かけすぎないでね。
Kakesuginaide ne.
Don't put too much.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏