How do you say "pumpkin" in Japanese?

カボチャ

kabocha

Noun Katakana

In Japanese, "pumpkin" is カボチャ (kabocha).

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Pronunciation

カボチャ is written using katakana. Romanised as kabocha, it sounds roughly like "kah-boh-chah" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

Kabocha in katakana is a native Japanese word for winter squash. This vegetable is essential to autumn cooking and harvest traditions.

Example sentence

カボチャを一つください。

Kabocha wo hitotsu kudasai.

One pumpkin, please.

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How to remember カボチャ

Kabocha - sounds like 'ka-bah-cha'. Round orange squash. The bouncy rhythm matches rolling a pumpkin around.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

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Questions about カボチャ

How do you pronounce カボチャ?

カボチャ is romanised as kabocha. Say it roughly like "kah-boh-chah" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is カボチャ formal or casual?

カボチャ is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is カボチャ written in Japanese?

カボチャ is written using katakana. Kabocha in katakana is a native Japanese word for winter squash.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"Pumpkin" in other languages

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