Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'cafeteria' depends on the setting. The most common term is 食堂 (shokudō), which refers to a dining hall in schools, companies, or public facilities. For a self-service style, カフェテリア (kafeteria) is used, often in hotels or large institutions. Other terms like 学食 (gakushoku) are specific to school cafeterias.
cafeteria (general)
school cafeteria
A place where meals are served in a school, workplace, hospital, or similar institution, often with a counter or self-service.
The most common and general term for a cafeteria or dining hall. Used in schools, companies, hospitals, and public facilities. Can range from a simple room with tables to a full-service eatery.
I had lunch at the company cafeteria.
This hospital's cafeteria is open 24 hours.
Loanword from English, specifically referring to a self-service cafeteria where you choose dishes from a counter. Common in hotels, universities, and large facilities. Often implies a more modern or Western-style setting.
Specifically the cafeteria in a school or university, often run by the institution or a contractor.
A casual eatery where you pick up food from counters and pay at the end, similar to a cafeteria but often in commercial settings.
Literally 'self-service dining hall'. Used to describe a cafeteria-style restaurant where you serve yourself. Not a common standalone term but understood.
That self-service cafeteria is cheap and fast.
In Japanese, a food court in a shopping mall is called フードコート, not 食堂. If you mean a mall food court, use this term.
I had lunch at the shopping mall food court.
食堂 (shokudō) implies a casual, often institutional dining setting, while レストラン (resutoran) is a general restaurant. A 食堂 may have a more limited menu and self-service elements. A レストラン typically has table service and a broader menu.
That cafeteria only has set meals, but that restaurant has course meals.
カフェテリア specifically refers to a self-service style with trays and counters. Using it for a traditional Japanese 食堂 might sound odd. Stick to 食堂 for most situations.
I ate breakfast at the hotel cafeteria.
Specifically a company employee cafeteria. Often subsidized and offering set meals (teishoku).
The set meals at the employee cafeteria are cheap and delicious.
After class, I went to the school cafeteria with friends.
The full, more formal term for a student cafeteria. Used in official contexts or when clarity is needed.
The student cafeteria is open from 11 a.m.