Translation guide
The general concept of food, including meals, cuisine, and things to eat. Japanese has several common words that overlap with 'food', each with different nuances and usage contexts.
The broadest, most neutral word for food in everyday conversation.
The most common and neutral word for 'food' as a general category. Suitable for most situations.
There is a lot of food in the fridge.
What is your favorite food?
Refers to food as provisions or supplies, often in the context of stocking up, emergency preparedness, or bulk quantities.
Stock up on food in preparation for disasters.
Food products, often used in commercial, industrial, or nutritional contexts. Common on labels and in news.
This food product contains additives.
When referring to a prepared meal or the act of eating a meal.
A meal, or the act of eating. Used for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. More specific than 食べ物.
It's time to eat. (lit. It's meal time.)
I try to eat healthy meals.
Literally 'cooked rice', but very commonly used to mean 'meal' in general, similar to 'food' in casual contexts. Often used with 朝/昼/晩.
Cuisine, cooking, or a prepared dish. Emphasizes the preparation and type of food.
Emphasizing the nutritional or life-sustaining aspect of food.
When talking about a specific kind of food or national cuisine.
Attach 料理 to a country or region name to mean that cuisine. E.g., 日本料理, イタリア料理.
I love Indian food.
A more general way to say 'food of [country]'. Slightly less common than 料理 for cuisine.
Is Mexican food spicy?
食べ物 is the general word for food as a thing. 食事 refers to a meal or the act of eating. ご飯 literally means cooked rice but is used colloquially to mean a meal. Use 食べ物 when talking about food in general, 食事 for a specific meal occasion, and ご飯 in casual conversation about meals.
The loanword フード (fuudo) exists but is mainly used in compound words like ファストフード (fast food) or ペットフード (pet food). Using it alone to mean 'food' sounds unnatural.
I don't eat fast food much.
Did you eat breakfast?
Let's eat out tonight.
I like my mother's cooking the best.
Would you like to go eat Japanese food?
Food is one of the pleasures of life.