Back to all words

Ponzu

3 stages from Dutch to English.

Today it means a tart Japanese sauce made from citrus juice, vinegar, and soy sauce

Where does the word "ponzu" come from? It comes from Dutch pons, passing through Japanese before entering English (late 1900s).

pons→ponzu→ponzu

"a mixed citrus drink"

Dutch traders' word for a citrus punch drink, encountered through contact in the East Indies

Japanese · 1800s

"a citrus-based seasoned vinegar sauce"

reborrowed and blended with native 'su' (vinegar) to name a tart citrus sauce

English · late 1900s

"a tart citrus and soy dipping sauce"

adopted by cooks and menus as Japanese cuisine spread abroad

Drag to pan · scroll to zoom