ゼリー
ぜりー
noun
jelly, gelatin dessert
1.
jelly, gelatin dessert
A sweet, soft dessert made from gelatin, often fruit-flavored. In Japanese, ゼリー refers primarily to the dessert form rather than jam or preserves.
ゼリーを作った。
I made jelly.
冷蔵庫にゼリーが冷えている。
There's jelly chilling in the refrigerator.
子どもたちがフルーツゼリーをおいしそうに食べていた。
The children were eating fruit jelly with great relish.
ゼリー refers specifically to gelatin-based desserts — the wobbly, translucent kind. It does not mean jam or preserves (which are ジャム in Japanese).
ETYMOLOGY:
From English "jelly." In Japanese, the meaning narrowed to gelatin desserts only.
COMMON TYPES:
- フルーツゼリー: fruit jelly
- コーヒーゼリー: coffee jelly (a distinctively Japanese dessert)
- 抹茶ゼリー: matcha jelly
- ゼリー飲料: jelly drink (pouch-style)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ゼリーを作る: to make jelly
- ゼリーが固まる: for jelly to set
- ゼリーを冷やす: to chill jelly
CULTURAL NOTE:
ゼリー is a popular summer dessert in Japan because it is cool and refreshing. Convenience stores stock many varieties. コーヒーゼリー, often served with cream, is a uniquely popular Japanese dessert rarely found elsewhere.