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.
チキンをグリルする
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.
炭火焼きの肉は美味しい。
Charcoal-grilled meat is delicious.
庭で炭火焼きをする。
We grill over charcoal in the yard.
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.
Again, 焼く covers broiling. When the context is a fish grill or oven broiler, it means broil.
魚をグリルで焼く
broil fish in the grill
Means to broil or toast lightly, often used for mochi, seaweed, or dried fish. Implies a quick, direct heat.
餅をあぶる
toast mochi
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.
魚を焼く (general), 魚をグリルする (using a grill), 海苔をあぶる (toasting seaweed)
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.
週末にバーベキューをしよう。
Let's have a barbecue this weekend.
直火焼きのステーキ
steak grilled over an open flame
Literally 'iron plate grilling'. Refers to teppanyaki-style cooking. Often used as a noun.
鉄板焼きのステーキ
teppanyaki steak