Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'grilling' is expressed through various cooking methods and verbs, depending on the food, heat source, and cooking style. The most common and versatile term is 焼く (yaku), which covers grilling, broiling, baking, and roasting. More specific terms exist for grilling over charcoal, broiling fish, or cooking on a griddle.
To cook food using direct heat, such as over a flame, on a grill, or under a broiler. This is the broadest meaning and covers most everyday grilling situations.
The most common and versatile verb for cooking with direct heat. It can mean grill, broil, bake, roast, or fry depending on context. Use this when the specific method is clear or not important.
A loanword from English, used specifically for grilling, often in the context of Western-style cooking or using a grill appliance. Less common than 焼く.
grill chicken
To cook food directly over charcoal or an open flame, often outdoors. This is the classic barbecue-style grilling.
Literally 'charcoal grilling'. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'grill over charcoal'. Implies a traditional, flavorful cooking method.
Charcoal-grilled meat is delicious.
The loanword for barbecue, often implying outdoor grilling with friends or family. Can be used as a noun or with する.
Means 'direct flame grilling', emphasizing cooking directly over fire without a pan or foil. Used in cooking contexts.
To cook food using overhead heat, typically in an oven or a fish grill. Common for fish in Japanese cuisine.
To cook on a flat metal surface or griddle, often with little oil. Common for okonomiyaki, teppanyaki, or yakiniku.
焼く is the all-purpose verb for applying direct heat. グリルする is specifically for grilling in a Western sense or using a grill appliance. あぶる is for light toasting or broiling, often of small items like mochi or nori.
grill fish (general), grill fish (using a grill appliance), toast seaweed
English 'grilling' usually implies dry heat. If you use oil in a pan, it's 炒める (itameru, stir-fry) or 揚げる (ageru, deep-fry). 焼く can sometimes involve a little oil, but for true frying, use the specific verbs.
We grill over charcoal in the yard.
Let's have a barbecue this weekend.
直火焼きのステーキ
steak grilled over an open flame
餅をあぶる
toast mochi
Literally 'iron plate grilling'. Refers to teppanyaki-style cooking. Often used as a noun.
teppanyaki steak