ポテト

ぽてと
noun
potato; french fries
food
1. potato
The potato vegetable. Used less commonly than じゃがいも for the raw vegetable, but common in food product names and restaurant menus.
ポテトサラダ(つく)
Make potato salad.
ポテトチップス()まらない
I can't stop eating potato chips.
The potato croquettes at this deli counter are popular.
2. french fries, fries
Short for フライドポテト (fried potatoes). Very common in fast food and casual dining contexts.
ポテトつけます
Would you like fries with that?
I'll have the burger and fries combo.
I like to eat my fries with lots of salt.

CONTRAST WITH じゃがいも:
じゃがいも is the standard Japanese word for the raw potato vegetable (used when cooking from scratch). ポテト is used more in processed food names (ポテトサラダ, ポテトチップス) and as short for フライドポテト (french fries) at restaurants.

Common collocations

  • フライドポテト: french fries (formal menu term)
  • ポテトサラダ: potato salad
  • ポテトチップス: potato chips
  • ポテトコロッケ: potato croquette
  • マッシュポテト: mashed potatoes