Translation guide
The English word "dish" has two main meanings: a physical container for serving food, and a prepared food item. This guide covers both, with natural Japanese equivalents.
A plate, bowl, or other vessel used to serve or eat food.
General word for plate, dish, or saucer. Most common for flat dishes.
この皿は割れやすい。
This dish breaks easily.
Polite form of 皿, commonly used in everyday speech.
お皿をテーブルに並べてください。
Please set the dishes on the table.
A broader term for any vessel or container, including bowls and dishes. Often used in more formal or descriptive contexts.
Specifically a large dish or platter, often for serving multiple people.
A particular type of cooked or prepared food, often part of a meal.
The most common word for a prepared dish or cuisine. Can refer to a single dish or cooking in general.
料理 is the general term for a prepared dish or cuisine. おかず specifically refers to side dishes eaten with rice in a Japanese meal. 一品 is used when counting or referring to a single dish, often in restaurants.
皿 means a physical plate. If you say 「この皿はおいしい」, it means 'This plate is delicious', which is unnatural. Use 料理 for a food dish.
料理を皿に盛り付ける。
Put the food onto a dish.
This dish is handmade pottery.
大皿に料理を盛って出した。
I served the food on a large dish.
この料理はとてもおいしい。
This dish is very delicious.
彼は新しい料理を作った。
He made a new dish.
Literally 'one item', used to refer to a single dish, especially in a restaurant or when ordering. Often used with counters.
もう一品いかがですか。
Would you like another dish?
この店の一品料理はどれも美味しい。
Every à la carte dish at this restaurant is delicious.
Refers to a side dish or accompaniment to rice, often used in home cooking. Not for main dishes or Western-style meals.
今日のおかずは何？
What's the side dish today?
Prepared side dishes, often sold at delis or supermarkets. More specific than おかず.
スーパーで惣菜を買った。
I bought some prepared dishes at the supermarket.
An exquisite or special dish, often implying high quality or rarity. Note: same reading as 一品 but different kanji.
この逸品はシェフの自信作です。
This dish is the chef's proud creation.