ピーマン
pīman[pʲiːmã̠ɴ]
In Japanese, the phrase for green bell peppers is ピーマン (pīman).
ピーマン is the most common term for bell peppers and refers specifically to green varieties, which are typically mild and non-spicy.
Which one should you use?
While ピーマン refers specifically to the smaller, often slightly bitter green bell peppers, the word パプリカ is used for the larger, sweeter and colorful bell peppers such as red or yellow varieties. Additionally, とうがらし is a general term used for chili peppers, which can include both sweet and spicy varieties.
How does it change in a sentence?
ピーマン is a noun that does not change its form for plurality. The same word is used for both one pepper and multiple peppers.
How do you pronounce it?
pīman
Did you know?
- Although it looks like Japanese Katakana, ピーマン actually comes from the French word 'piment', which means 'chili pepper'.
- Because of their characteristic bitterness, ピーマン are one of the most common vegetables listed as a 'disliked food' by Japanese children.
- The term ピーマン only gained widespread use in the early 1960s, making it a relatively modern addition to the Japanese vocabulary.
Examples in context
- ピーマンは全く食べない。I don't eat green peppers at all.This sentence is useful for expressing a total lack of consumption of ピーマン.Tatoeba #2056646 by bunbuku, translation #1830603 by CK
- 彼女はピーマンが大嫌いだ。She hates green peppers.This sentence is useful for expressing a strong dislike of ピーマン.Tatoeba #91661 by bunbuku, translation #312051 by CK
- 私、ピーマンが大好きなんだ。I love green peppers.This sentence is useful for expressing a strong liking for ピーマン.Tatoeba #159063 by bunbuku, translation #915341 by CK
- ピーマンはおいしいですBell peppers are delicious
- とうがらしは好きですI like chili peppers
- ピーマンっておいしいよねGreen bell peppers are delicious, aren't they?
- ピーマン炒めPepper stir-fry
- ピーマンサラダPepper salad
- おすすめのピーマンは何ですか？Which peppers do you recommend?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A kitchen where a woman is preparing dinner.
- 大翔 Hirotoピーマンは何個使う？piiman wa nanko tsukau?How many green peppers should I use?
- 美咲 Misaki二個で大丈夫だよ。niko de daijoubu da yo.Two should be enough.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、このピーマンを切るね。jaa, kono piiman o kiru ne.Okay, I will cut these peppers then.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、助かるよ。arigatou, tasukaru yo.Thank you, that helps a lot.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ピーマン, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ピーマン, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
