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.
食器を洗ってください。
Please wash the dishes.
この店では美しい食器を使っている。
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.
カトラリーセットを買った。
I bought a cutlery set.
テーブルにカトラリーを並べてください。
Please set the cutlery on the table.
Listing the specific items is a natural way to refer to cutlery, especially when the context is clear.
ナイフとフォークとスプーンを出して。
Get out the knives, forks, and spoons.
Referring to individual pieces of cutlery.
Fork. The standard word.
フォークを落とした。
I dropped my fork.
Knife. Note that Japanese meals often don't require a knife, so it's specifically for Western-style dining.
ステーキナイフはどこですか？
Where are the steak knives?
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.
箸を使えますか？
Can you use chopsticks?
Referring to a matching set of knives, forks, and spoons.
A cutlery set. Commonly used in shops and households.
結婚祝いにカトラリーセットをもらった。
I received a cutlery set as a wedding gift.
A more descriptive phrase, literally 'knife, fork, spoon set'.
このナイフ・フォーク・スプーンセットは安い。
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.
食器棚にはカトラリーも入っている。
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.
テーブルにカトラリーを置いてください。
Please put the cutlery on the table.
パーティー用にカトラリーがもっと必要です。
We need more cutlery for the party.
この引き出しはカトラリー用です。
This drawer is for cutlery.
スプーンでスープを飲む。
I eat soup with a spoon.