Translation guide
The business or service of providing food and drinks for events, or the act of providing such services. In Japanese, this is often expressed with loanwords or descriptive phrases depending on context.
catering service
catering company
Referring to the industry or the service of providing food for events.
The most common and direct loanword for 'catering'. Used widely in business and everyday contexts.
She runs a catering company.
We ordered catering for the party.
Traditional Japanese term for catering, often implying delivery of prepared meals for events or businesses. Slightly more formal or traditional than ケータリング.
We ordered catered boxed lunches.
Refers to home delivery of meals, often from restaurants. Not exactly 'catering' but can overlap when food is delivered for a group.
We ordered delivery for the meeting.
Figurative use: to provide what is wanted or needed, to accommodate.
Literally 'respond to the needs of ~'. A natural way to express catering to someone's requirements.
This hotel caters to the needs of business travelers.
Means 'aimed at ~' or 'intended for ~'. Used to describe products or services designed for a specific group.
This restaurant caters to families.
Means 'to handle' or 'to deal with', often used in business contexts to mean accommodating various needs.
ケータリング is the modern loanword and is widely understood. 仕出し is more traditional and often implies Japanese-style meals delivered for events. For Western-style catering, ケータリング is more common.
Do not try to translate 'catering' as a verb directly. Use phrases like ケータリングをする or 仕出しをする for the action.
We cater to various requests.