カボチャ
kabocha
The English word squash is translated into Japanese as カボチャ (kabocha).
カボチャ is used broadly to refer to various types of edible gourds, including what English speakers might distinguish as pumpkin or winter squash. The word kabocha is written as かぼちゃ.
Which one should you use?
The kanji form 南瓜 is used in formal writing or menus, though the katakana カボチャ is much more common in daily life.
How do you pronounce it?
kabocha
Did you know?
- In Japan, カボチャ is famously eaten during the winter solstice to prevent colds and bad luck for the coming year.
- The kanji for カボチャ is 南瓜, which literally means 'southern gourd'.
- In traditional Japanese cuisine, 'kabocha' is often simmered in a salty-sweet broth known as 'nimono'.
Examples in context
- カボチャ、美味しかったわ。The squash was delicious.Tatoeba #9477219 by small_snow, translation #9431834 by shekitten
- 秋には、毎年かぼちゃ料理を作ります。Every autumn, I cook squash dishes.
- スーパーでカボチャを買いました。Sūpā de kabocha o kaimashita.I bought a squash at the supermarket.
- このカボチャは甘いですね。Kono kabocha wa amai desu ne.This squash is sweet, isn't it?
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are cooking dinner in the kitchen.
- 美咲 Misaki今日の夕食はカボチャの煮物にするね。Kyō no yūshoku wa kabocha no nimono ni suru ne.I'll make simmered squash for dinner today.
- 蓮 Renそれはいいね、僕も大好きだよ。Sore wa ii ne, boku mo daisuki da yo.That sounds good, I love it too.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮君、カボチャの皮は剥いておくね。Ren-kun, kabocha no kawa wa muite oku ne.Ren, I will peel the squash skin.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、手伝うよ。Arigatō, tetsudau yo.Thanks, I'll help you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry カボチャ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
