酢
su
The English word vinegar is translated into Japanese as 酢. If unsure, use 酢. Wiktionary also lists ビネガー (binegā).
Meaning: condiment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 酢 | su |
| ビネガー | binegā |
The standard word for the condiment is 酢. In culinary contexts, you may also encounter 米酢, which specifically refers to rice vinegar, a staple of Japanese cuisine.
Which one should you use?
While 酢 is the standard Japanese word, the katakana loanword ビネガー is often used specifically to refer to Western-style vinegars, such as balsamic or apple cider vinegar. Additionally, adding the honorific prefix to the standard word creates お酢, which is a very common way to refer to the ingredient in daily conversation and cooking.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お酢 is a polite form created by adding the honorific prefix 'o-' to 酢. It is very common in daily life and cooking environments. 酢 is the standard form.
How do you pronounce it?
su
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, 酢 is often associated with health and longevity, leading to the popularity of 'vinegar drinks' as wellness supplements in pharmacies and supermarkets.
- While 酢 is the general word, the term 黒酢 or 'black vinegar' refers to a specific type of aged, dark-colored vinegar that is highly prized in Japan for its health benefits.
- In Japanese, there is a concept called 酢の物 (sunomono), which refers to a whole category of salads seasoned with vinegar rather than just the condiment itself.
Examples in context
- 酢は嫌いです。I don't like vinegar.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for the form 酢.Tatoeba #10582925 by small_snow, translation #10526992 by mollydot
- お酢と油を持ってきてください。Please bring me vinegar and oil.This sentence is useful for requesting the form 酢 and oil.Tatoeba #10582928 by small_snow, translation #4414616 by AlanF_US
- デーツからお酢ができるって、知ってた？Did you know that vinegar can be made from dates?This sentence is useful for discussing how the form 酢 can be made from dates.Tatoeba #10582934 by small_snow, translation #8733283 by AlanF_US
- リンゴ酢 (りんごす, Ringo-su)Apple vinegar
- 米酢 (こめす, Kome-su)Rice vinegar
- レシピに酢を加えます。Add vinegar to the recipe.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are preparing a salad in the kitchen.
- 美咲 Misakiドレッシングに酢を入れるね。doresshingu ni su o ireru ne.I'll put some vinegar in the dressing.
- 健太 Kenta入れすぎないでください。iresuginaide kudasai.Please don't put in too much.
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫。少しだけ使うから。daijōbu. sukoshi dake tsukau kara.It's okay. I'm only using a little.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、お願いします。jaa, onegaishimasu.Alright, please go ahead.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vinegar” translations and entries 酢, ビネガー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
