shiso: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “shiso” mean?
A Japanese herb, Perilla frutescens, used primarily in cooking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Japanese herb, Perilla frutescens, used primarily in cooking.
The leaves of the shiso plant, which can be green or purple, used for flavoring, garnish, and in traditional medicine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences; usage is consistent in both variants due to its specialized origin.
Connotations
Exotic, Asian, culinary.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, primarily in food-related contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shiso” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The shiso-infused dressing was delightful.
- We ordered a shiso-based appetizer.
American English
- The shiso-flavored oil is popular.
- Try the shiso-garnished soup.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in food industry or import/export contexts.
Academic
Used in botanical, culinary, or cultural studies.
Everyday
Uncommon; typically in discussions about cooking or dining experiences.
Technical
Applied in horticulture, gastronomy, or ethnobotany.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shiso”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shiso”
- Mispronunciation as 'shy-so' or 'shee-saw'.
- Confusion with other herbs like basil or mint.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Shiso is a herb from the Perilla frutescens plant, used in Asian cooking.
It is pronounced /ˈʃiːsoʊ/ in American English and /ˈʃiːsəʊ/ in British English.
Yes, shiso is a common name for Perilla frutescens, especially in culinary contexts.
Yes, it can be incorporated into various dishes for its unique flavor, though it is most common in Asian cuisine.
A Japanese herb, Perilla frutescens, used primarily in cooking.
Shiso is usually specialized/culinary in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'she so' loves shiso in her sushi—it sounds similar and is often found in Japanese dishes.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary use of shiso?