Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'food expenses' is commonly expressed with specific compound nouns. The most natural and frequently used term is 食費 (shokuhi), which broadly covers money spent on food, including groceries and dining out. Other terms exist for more specific contexts, such as meal costs or food budgets.
The overall cost of food, including groceries and eating out, often as a budget category.
The most common and versatile term for food expenses. Used in household budgets, personal finance, and everyday conversation.
This month's food expenses were higher than last month's.
To save on food expenses, I started cooking at home.
A slightly more formal term, often used in accounting or official contexts. Emphasizes the cost of food supplies.
In the household account book, food expenses account for the largest proportion.
The expense for a specific meal, such as lunch or dinner, often when dining out.
Refers to the cost of a meal, typically when eating out. Commonly used when splitting bills or discussing restaurant prices.
Yesterday's dinner cost 3000 yen per person.
Can also be used for a single meal's cost, but 食事代 is more precise for that context.
A planned amount of money allocated for food over a period.
食費 (shokuhi) is a broad term for overall food expenses, like a budget category. 食事代 (shokujidai) specifically refers to the cost of a particular meal, often when eating out. Use 食費 for monthly budgets and 食事代 for splitting a restaurant bill.
Let's split the meal cost.
外食の食費がかさむ。
The cost of eating out adds up.
食費を月3万円以内に抑えたい。
I want to keep food expenses within 30,000 yen a month.