How to say "cactus" in Japanese

• サボテン
  nounCovers the cactus plant itself, whether in a pot, a garden, or the desert; this is the word to use when talking about the plant. It is usually written in kana alone.
• カクタス
  nounThis is really just the English word 'cactus' rendered in katakana. It is seldom the word you want; when talking about the plant, サボテン is the word to use.

For the cactus plant itself, 「サボテン」 is the word to use — normally written in kana alone — while 「カクタス」 is simply the English loanword transcribed into katakana and is seldom the word you want.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• サボテンcactus
• カクタスcactus