香辛料

• Reading: こうしんりょう
• Romaji: koushinryou
• Kanji breakdown: 香 (kō) — fragrance; 辛 (shin) — spicy, pungent; 料 (ryō) — materials
• Pronunciation: /koː.ɕiɴ.ɾʲoː/

Meaning

Spice; spices; condiment. Aromatic seasonings used in cooking.

A noun for aromatic plant-based seasonings such as pepper, cinnamon, cumin, and chilli. More specific than 調味料 (seasoning/condiment in general, which includes salt, sugar, soy sauce). Common in cooking, food science, and historical contexts (the spice trade). Common phrases: 香辛料を効かせる (to season well with spices).

Examples

1. インド料理にはさまざまな香辛料が使われている。 Indian cuisine uses a wide variety of spices.
2. 中世ヨーロッパでは香辛料が非常に高価だった。 Spices were extremely valuable in medieval Europe.
3. この料理は香辛料を効かせすぎて辛くなった。 This dish became too spicy because too many spices were used.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, food, history

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 香 (fragrance, incense) + 辛 (spicy, pungent) + 料 (materials, fee). Literally fragrant and spicy materials.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal