How to say "sauce" in Japanese

• ソースJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe all-purpose word for sauce, a katakana loanword; use this whenever you simply mean sauce, reserving たれ for the dipping sauces that word specifically describes.
  空腹くうふくは最上さいじょうのソースである。↗

  Hunger is the best sauce.
• たれJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA sauce for dipping food into, especially one based on soy sauce or mirin; usually written in kana alone. Use this when the sauce is meant for dipping, not as a general term.

Use 「ソース」 for sauce in general; use 「たれ」 for a dipping sauce, especially one based on soy sauce or mirin; this latter word is usually written with kana alone.

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

• ソースsauce
• たれsauce (esp. soy or mirin-based dipping sauce)
• だし汁だしじるbroth
• 汁しる(dipping) sauce