What does soy mean?
The word 'soy' has two related meanings that reflect the international history of the soya bean. In its most familiar modern sense, especially in American English, it means soy sauce: a savory, salty seasoning produced by fermenting soya beans with salt and microorganisms. It is widely used with noodles, rice, fish, dumplings, and many East Asian dishes. In British English, 'soy' can also mean a soya bean or the soya plant, though 'soya' and 'soya bean' are more usual terms. The bean is an important source of protein, and its derivatives include soy milk, tofu, soybean oil, and soy sauce. The spelling reflects the word's path into English from Japanese, where soy is linked to the broader East Asian tradition of fermented bean seasonings. Because 'soy' is concise and familiar, it has become the standard English name for soy sauce, while the bean sense preserves the word's older and more geographically specific associations.
nounIn modern English, especially in American usage, soy usually means soy sauce, a savory liquid seasoning made from fermented soya beans. In British English, 'soy' may also mean a soya bean, the plant whose seeds are used to make soy sauce, soy milk, tofu, and oil.
- Soy sauce, a salty, savory liquid seasoning made from fermented soya beans.
- A soya bean or the soya plant, especially in British English.
"She brushed the noodles with soy and added sliced spring onions."
"The dumplings were served with soy sauce and a small dish of vinegar."
"Farmers in East Asia have cultivated soya beans for centuries."
The plural 'soys' is uncommon. When referring to the beans, speakers usually use 'soya beans' or 'soybeans'; when referring to portions of soy sauce, 'soys' is possible but not common.
"The recipe calls for two tablespoons of soy."
The word 'soy' preserves a remarkable culinary journey: it comes from a Japanese word whose ultimate roots lie in Chinese, describing a savory seasoning made from fermented beans.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does soy come from?
English borrowed 'soy' from Japanese, in which the word is written 醤油 and read shōyū. Japanese shōyū developed from Chinese 醬油, referring to bean sauce made with fermented bean paste. Related terms in the East Asian culinary tradition include Japanese shōyū and tamari, while British English later established 'soya' as a common name for the bean.
How soy is actually used
In contemporary American English, 'soy' almost always means soy sauce when used alone. British speakers are more likely to use 'soy' for the bean and 'soya' or 'soya bean' for the plant and seed, although 'soy sauce' is also common throughout the English-speaking world.
Easily confused with soy
In British English, 'soya' usually means the bean or the plant, while 'soy' most commonly means soy sauce; 'soya sauce' is also a standard British term for the condiment.