Japanese word

わさび

Pronunciation

Romajiwasabi

Meaning

  • nounwasabi

Example

刺身にわさびを付けて食べます。sashi mi ni wa sa bi o tsu ke te ta be ma su

I eat sashimi with wasabi.

Illustration for わさび (wasabi)

More examples

そばにはわさびを少し添えます。so ba ni wa wa sa bi o suko shi so e ma su

I add a little wasabi to my soba.

Core concept

Refers to the pungent green seasoning made from the grated root of a Japanese plant and served in small amounts with food.

Common phrases

  • わさびを付けるwa sa bi o tsu ke ru

    add wasabi

  • わさびが効くwa sa bi ga ki ku

    have a strong wasabi flavor

Definition in Japanese

根茎をすりおろして薬味に用いる、強い辛味のある植物またはその食品。kon kei o su ri o ro shi te yaku mi ni mochi i ru tsuyo i kara mi no a ru shoku butsu ma ta wa so no shoku hin

Word origin

The Japanese noun わさび (wasabi) has an uncertain older origin and is traditionally written 山葵 (wasabi, "mountain mallow"), a spelling that does not by itself show the word's etymology.

Usage tips

  • In English, wasabi often labels a horseradish-based green paste because true wasabi is costly and difficult to grow, so the two products are not always the same.

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