塩
shio[ɕio̞]
The Japanese word for "salt" is 塩 (shio).
塩 refers to the substance sodium chloride.
Meaning: sodium chloride (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
塩 is a noun and does not change its form for pluralization. The context of the sentence determines whether you are referring to one type of salt or multiple salts.
How do you pronounce it?
shio
Did you know?
- In Japanese slang, the adjective 塩 is used to describe a person who is cold, blunt or unfriendly, as in the term 塩対応 (shio-taiō).
- Salt is used in the Shinto ritual of 盛り塩 (mori-shio), where small mounds of salt are placed at entrances to ward off evil spirits.
- In Sumo wrestling, athletes throw 塩 into the ring before a match to purify the ground and protect themselves from injury.
Examples in context
- お塩とって。Pass me the salt.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to pass the 塩.Tatoeba #227398 by small_snow, translation #64750 by CK
- もう塩がない。There is no salt left.This sentence is useful for stating the absence of the 塩.Tatoeba #467328 by Namikaze, translation #25759 by CK
- 肉に塩をかけよう。I'll put some salt on the meat.This sentence is useful for expressing the intention to put salt on food using the 塩.Tatoeba #122990 by small_snow, translation #281009 by CK
- お料理には塩を加えるのが大切です。It is important to add salt to your cooking.
- 121 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small dining table, a woman prepares a soup.
- 陽葵 Himariこのスープに塩を少し入れてもいい？Kono sūpu ni shio o sukoshi irete mo ii?Can I add a little salt to this soup?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、塩は多めが好みなんだ。Un, shio wa oome ga konomi nanda.Yeah, I prefer having plenty of salt.
- 陽葵 Himariわかった。じゃあ、多めに入れるね。Wakatta. Jaa, oome ni ireru ne.Got it. I'll add a lot then.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、陽葵。Arigatō, Himari.Thank you, Himari.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “salt” translations and entries 塩, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
