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.
今月の食費は先月より多かった。
This month's food expenses were higher than last month's.
食費を節約するために、自炊を始めた。
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.
家計簿では、食料費が最も大きな割合を占めている。
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.
昨日の夕食の食事代は一人3000円だった。
Yesterday's dinner cost 3000 yen per person.
食事代は割り勘にしよう。
Let's split the meal cost.
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.
Literally 'food expense budget'. Used when setting a spending limit for food.
毎月の食費の予算は5万円です。
My monthly food budget is 50,000 yen.
Often implies the budgeted amount in context, without needing 予算.
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.
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.
The cost of eating out adds up.