Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'cutlery' is often expressed through specific terms for eating utensils, with no single exact equivalent. The most common word is 食器 (shokki), which broadly means tableware. For Western-style knives, forks, and spoons, カトラリー (katorarī) is used. In everyday contexts, people often refer to specific items like フォーク (fork) or スプーン (spoon).
Referring to dishes, bowls, and utensils collectively, or eating utensils in general.
The most common word for tableware, including plates, bowls, cups, and sometimes cutlery. It's a broad term, so context clarifies if cutlery is included.
Please wash the dishes.
This restaurant uses beautiful tableware.
A loanword from English, specifically referring to Western-style cutlery (knives, forks, spoons). Common in restaurants and shops selling such items.
Listing the specific items is a natural way to refer to cutlery, especially when the context is clear.
Get out the knives, forks, and spoons.
Referring to individual pieces of cutlery.
Fork. The standard word.
I dropped my fork.
Knife. Note that Japanese meals often don't require a knife, so it's specifically for Western-style dining.
Spoon. Used for soup, curry, etc.
Chopsticks. While not 'cutlery' in the Western sense, they are the primary eating utensil in Japan and often the default when 'utensils' are mentioned.
Referring to a matching set of knives, forks, and spoons.
A cutlery set. Commonly used in shops and households.
I received a cutlery set as a wedding gift.
A more descriptive phrase, literally 'knife, fork, spoon set'.
This knife, fork, and spoon set is cheap.
食器 (shokki) is a broad term for all tableware, including plates, bowls, and cups. カトラリー (katorarī) specifically refers to Western-style eating utensils like knives, forks, and spoons. If you want to say 'cutlery' in the sense of just the utensils, カトラリー is more precise, but 食器 is more common in everyday language when context makes it clear.
The cupboard contains cutlery as well as dishes.
In English, 'cutlery' can sometimes broadly mean eating utensils, but in Japanese, カトラリー almost never includes chopsticks (箸). If you need to refer to both Western cutlery and chopsticks, use a phrase like 食器や箸 (shokki ya hashi) or simply list them.
Please put the cutlery on the table.
We need more cutlery for the party.
This drawer is for cutlery.
I bought a cutlery set.
Please set the cutlery on the table.
Where are the steak knives?
スプーンでスープを飲む。
I eat soup with a spoon.
Can you use chopsticks?