ピクルス
pikurusu
The Japanese word for pickle is ピクルス (pikurusu).
ピクルス is used to refer to preserved cucumbers. If you want to describe the action of pickling or marinating food in a salt, sugar or vinegar solution, use the verb 漬ける.
Meaning: preserved cucumber (noun)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between Western-style and traditional Japanese pickles. ピクルス specifically refers to Western-style vinegar pickles, whereas 漬物 is a broader term used for traditional Japanese pickled vegetables. For a more polite and respectful way to refer to these traditional pickles, you can use お漬物.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
pikurusu
When do people say it?
For example, 梅干し refers specifically to pickled Japanese plums.
Did you know?
- Some regions of Japan use different types of 漬物 to mark the change of seasons, making certain pickles a symbolic sign of spring or winter.
- Unlike Western pickles, some traditional Japanese 漬物 are made using rice bran, called ぬか, instead of vinegar.
- The polite prefix お in お漬物 is not just for formality, but reflects a cultural habit of adding honorifics to foods that are essential to the daily diet.
Examples in context
- 茄子の漬物 (nasu no tsukemono)pickled eggplant
- これを漬ける (kore o tsukeru)pickle this
- 漬け方 (tsukekata)pickling method
- ピクルスを少し食べたいです。pikurusu o sukoshi tabetai desu.I want to eat some pickles.
- このピクルスはとても美味しいです。kono pikurusu wa totemo oishii desu.This pickle is very delicious.
- サラダにピクルスを入れます。sarada ni pikurusu o iremasu.I will put pickles in the salad.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are eating lunch at a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さん、このピクルス食べますか？Kenta-san, kono pikurusu tabemasu ka?Kenta, would you like some of these pickles?
- 健太 Kentaはい、一つください。Hai, hitotsu kudasai.Yes, please give me one.
- 陽葵 Himariはい、どうぞ。Hai, douzo.Here you go.
- 健太 Kenta美味しいピクルスですね。Oishii pikurusu desu ne.These are delicious pickles.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ピクルス, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
