How to say "cream" in Japanese

• クリームJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe common loanword for cream as a substance: the dairy product stirred into coffee or spread on desserts, also used for thick cosmetic creams. For the substance itself, this is the word you want.
  彼女かのじょはデザート用ようにクリームを泡立あわだてた。↗

  She beat the cream for dessert.
• 粋すい
  nounCovers only the figurative sense: the essence or very best of something, the 'cream of the crop'. It is seldom the word you want for the dairy product, and it is less common.
  どうせ日本にっぽん文化ぶんかの粋すいなどは連中れんちゅうには絶対ぜったいわかるまい。↗

  They'll never truly understand the essence of Japanese culture anyway.
• クリーム色クリームいろ
  nounThe word for cream as a color — a pale yellowish white. Use it when naming the color of things such as clothing or walls; it is not for the substance itself and is less common.

For cream as a substance use the common loanword 「クリーム」; for the pale yellowish color use 「クリーム色」; 粋, a less common word, covers only the figurative sense of the very best or essence.

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

• クリームcream
• 粋すいessence
• クリーム色クリームいろcream (colour, color)
• クリーム剤クリームざい(medicated) cream