Translation guide
A guide to expressing 'kitchenware' in Japanese, covering general terms, specific categories, and natural ways to talk about kitchen tools and utensils.
The learner wants to refer to kitchenware as a broad category, such as when shopping, organizing, or discussing kitchen equipment in general.
The most common and neutral term for kitchenware, encompassing tools, utensils, and small equipment used in the kitchen.
台所用品を買いに行きます。
I'm going to buy some kitchenware.
この店は台所用品が豊富です。
This store has a wide selection of kitchenware.
A slightly more modern or stylish term, often used in retail or interior design contexts. 'キッチン' is a loanword from English.
キッチン用品のコーナーはどこですか。
Where is the kitchenware section?
Refers specifically to cooking utensils and tools, rather than general kitchen items like storage containers. More technical.
調理器具を揃えるのに時間がかかった。
It took time to gather all the cooking utensils.
The learner wants to refer specifically to cookware like pots, pans, and frying pans.
General term for pots and pans. Can be used broadly, but often implies deeper pots. For specific types, compound words are used.
新しい鍋を買いたい。
I want to buy a new pot/pan.
鍋でスープを作る。
I make soup in a pot.
Frying pan. A loanword from English, very common.
Saucepan with one handle. Literally 'one-hand pot'.
片手鍋でミルクを温める。
I heat milk in a saucepan.
Stockpot or pot with two handles. Literally 'two-hand pot'.
The learner wants to talk about kitchen knives, a key subset of kitchenware.
General term for kitchen knife. The most common word.
包丁を研ぐ。
I sharpen the kitchen knife.
新しい包丁を買った。
I bought a new kitchen knife.
All-purpose kitchen knife, the most common style in Japanese homes. Literally 'three-virtue knife'.
三徳包丁は万能です。
A santoku knife is versatile.
Petty knife, a small utility knife. Loanword from English 'petty knife'.
The learner wants to refer to cutting boards, an essential kitchen item.
Standard term for cutting board. Often made of wood or plastic.
まな板の上で野菜を切る。
I cut vegetables on the cutting board.
まな板を消毒する。
I sanitize the cutting board.
The learner wants to talk about smaller handheld kitchen tools.
As mentioned, this covers cooking utensils broadly. Can be used for spatulas, ladles, whisks, etc.
調理器具を引き出しにしまう。
I put away the cooking utensils in the drawer.
Loanword from English 'kitchen tools', often used in shops or casual conversation.
便利なキッチンツールを探している。
I'm looking for handy kitchen tools.
Long cooking chopsticks, a common Japanese kitchen utensil.
Ladle. The polite prefix 'お' is commonly used.
Spatula (turner). Literally 'fry returner'.
The learner might be thinking of plates, bowls, cups, etc., as part of kitchenware, especially when setting up a kitchen.
General term for tableware: plates, bowls, cups, etc. Not strictly 'kitchenware' but often grouped together in stores.
食器棚に食器をしまう。
I put the dishes away in the cupboard.
新しい食器を買い揃える。
I buy a set of new dishes.
Plate. Very common word.
大皿に料理を盛り付ける。
I arrange the food on a large plate.
Rice bowl; also used for tea cups in some contexts.
The learner wants to talk about containers, racks, and organizers used in the kitchen.
Storage container, often for leftovers or ingredients. Literally 'preservation container'.
保存容器に余った料理を入れる。
I put leftover food in a storage container.
Generic term for plastic food storage containers, derived from the brand 'Tupperware'. Very common in casual speech.
タッパーにおかずを詰める。
I pack side dishes into a plastic container.
Dish drying rack. Literally 'water draining rack'.
洗った皿を水切りラックに置く。
I put washed dishes on the drying rack.
The learner might include electric appliances like toasters, rice cookers, etc., under kitchenware.
Kitchen appliances. '家電' is short for 家庭用電気製品 (household electric appliances).
キッチン家電を買い替える。
I replace my kitchen appliances.
Rice cooker. An essential appliance in Japanese kitchens.
炊飯器でご飯を炊く。
I cook rice in the rice cooker.
Microwave oven. Often shortened to レンジ in casual speech.
台所用品 is the most general and traditional term. キッチン用品 is modern and often used in shops. 調理器具 specifically refers to cooking utensils and tools, not storage or tableware.
In Japanese, it's often more natural to use specific terms like 鍋 (pot), フライパン (frying pan), or 包丁 (knife) rather than the broad category 'kitchenware'. When in doubt, be specific.
新居用に台所用品を買わないといけない。
I need to buy some kitchenware for my new apartment.
Natural translation using 台所用品.
I fry eggs in a frying pan.
両手鍋でカレーを作る。
I make curry in a stockpot.
ペティナイフで果物を切る。
I cut fruit with a petty knife.
Loanword from English, often used for stylish or modern boards, or in recipes.
カッティングボードにパンを並べる。
I arrange bread on the cutting board.
菜箸で天ぷらを揚げる。
I fry tempura with cooking chopsticks.
I ladle out soup with a ladle.
I flip the hamburger steak with a spatula.
I serve rice into a rice bowl.
電子レンジで温める。
I heat it up in the microwave.