Translation guide
A formal or social midday meal, often an event. In Japanese, the concept is expressed through specific terms for lunch events, formal meals, or simply 'lunch' depending on context.
A planned, often official or ceremonial midday meal, such as a business luncheon, charity luncheon, or awards luncheon.
Literally 'lunch gathering/meeting'. The most direct equivalent for a formal luncheon event. Commonly used for organized midday meals with a purpose.
明日は会社の昼食会があります。
There is a company luncheon tomorrow.
慈善昼食会に出席した。
I attended a charity luncheon.
Loanword from English 'luncheon'. Used for Western-style formal lunches, often in hotel or event contexts. Sounds sophisticated.
ホテルでランチョンが開かれた。
A luncheon was held at the hotel.
Formal, somewhat literary term for a luncheon party. Rare in everyday speech, but may appear in formal invitations or writing.
午餐会のご案内を申し上げます。
We cordially invite you to a luncheon.
Simply the meal eaten around noon, without the formal event connotation. 'Luncheon' can be a more formal word for 'lunch' in English.
Standard word for 'lunch' (the meal). Slightly more formal than お昼ご飯, but perfectly natural in most situations.
昼食の時間です。
It's time for luncheon.
昼食をとりましょう。
Let's have luncheon.
Casual, everyday word for 'lunch'. Not typically used for formal events, but fine for daily conversation.
お昼ご飯は何を食べましたか？
What did you have for luncheon?
Common loanword for 'lunch'. Used in casual and semi-formal contexts, often for restaurant meals or set menus.
In some older or regional English usage, 'luncheon' can refer to a light meal or snack between main meals. This is rare in modern Japanese equivalents.
Means 'light meal' or 'snack'. Can be used for a light luncheon, but not specifically tied to midday.
午後に軽食をとった。
I had a light luncheon in the afternoon.
昼食会 is the standard Japanese term for a formal luncheon event, while ランチョン is a loanword that carries a Western, often upscale nuance. Use 昼食会 for most business or social luncheons; use ランチョン for hotel or Western-style events.
ランチョン is not as common as 'luncheon' in English. In many cases, 昼食会 or simply 昼食/ランチ is more natural. Using ランチョン for a casual lunch sounds affected.
慈善昼食会に出席しました。
We attended a charity luncheon.
昼食は正午にお出しします。
The luncheon will be served at noon.
I had pasta for luncheon today.