梅 Is there another word for non-Japanese plums?

[mel_actual]

I keep getting it wrong because I type plum instead of ume or Japanese plum specifically. So I was wondering if there’s another word because otherwise it just feels stupid for it to not be an accepted answer.

[Stay_coolXD]

I got curious so i searched it up. 梅 is indeed japanese/chinese plum. Normal plum would be プラム

[Chellykins]

I just added “plum” as an alternative meaning because I kept doing the same thing.

[Belthazar]

Aye, Wikipedia uses プラム. The plum family as a whole is スモモ亜族.

[ekg]

Me too. The distinction is only important if you’re into gardening. From a cultural pov the Japanese plum holds a special significance (the flowering on bare bare branches is a visual theme).

And then there’s the umeboshi, the pickled plum used in onigiri. It’s a more useful kanji to know than just plum in general I guess.

[NicoleRauch]

And not to forget 梅酒 (うめしゅ)

[Houndstooth]

The best reason to know 梅 is specifically for knowing whether or not the bar you’re at has 梅酒 or not

[NicoleRauch]

@Houndstooth

whether or not the bar you’re at has 梅酒 or not

This is a hypothetical concern though, right? Or are you saying there exist izakaya that don’t have 梅酒 ?!

[elynchbell]

The 梅 is technically and apricot not a plum, which adds to more confusion.

This bar in zao onsen was very helpful in plum recognition.

[Belthazar]

“Different plum”? Is that the technical term?

[RoseWagsBlue]

I just loved the really bad English that I saw on signs and labels in Japan.

That makes my many really bad Japanese mistakes more acceptable.

[asethb]

the scientific name is differentia plumus

[Belthazar]

Prunus, actually.

[Houndstooth]

Admittedly I’m blessed with a craft beer bar in my tiny inaka town, so I don’t frequent the izakayas outside of enkais now that you mention it I would expect most izakayas to carry it! Though I also wouldn’t be surprised if any of the tiny places around here strictly served beer, whiskey, sours, and nihonshu

[Chellykins]

My favourite is 赤梅酒! It’s like liquid, alcoholic red licorice.

[Chellykins]

Sakura are overrated. Plum blossoms are where it’s at!