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.
I'm going to buy some kitchenware.
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.
Where is the kitchenware section?
Refers specifically to cooking utensils and tools, rather than general kitchen items like storage containers. More technical.
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.
I want to buy a new pot/pan.
I make soup in a pot.
Frying pan. A loanword from English, very common.
Saucepan with one handle. Literally 'one-hand pot'.
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.
I sharpen the kitchen knife.
All-purpose kitchen knife, the most common style in Japanese homes. Literally 'three-virtue knife'.
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.
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.
I put away the cooking utensils in the drawer.
Loanword from English 'kitchen tools', often used in shops or casual conversation.
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.
I put the dishes away in the cupboard.
Plate. Very common word.
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'.
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.
Dish drying rack. Literally 'water draining rack'.
I put washed dishes on the drying rack.
The learner might include electric appliances like toasters, rice cookers, etc., under kitchenware.
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.
I need to buy some kitchenware for my new apartment.
Natural translation using 台所用品.
フライパンで卵を焼く。
I fry eggs in a frying pan.
両手鍋でカレーを作る。
I make curry in a stockpot.
I bought a new kitchen knife.
ペティナイフで果物を切る。
I cut fruit with a petty knife.
I sanitize the cutting board.
Loanword from English, often used for stylish or modern boards, or in recipes.
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 buy a set of new dishes.
I arrange the food on a large plate.
I serve rice into a rice bowl.
タッパーにおかずを詰める。
I pack side dishes into a plastic container.
炊飯器でご飯を炊く。
I cook rice in the rice cooker.
I heat it up in the microwave.