Translation guide
The English word 'meal' refers to an occasion when food is eaten, or the food itself. In Japanese, the most common and natural equivalent is 食事 (shokuji), but other words are used depending on formality, time of day, and context.
To refer to a meal in general, whether the act of eating or the food served.
The most common and versatile word for 'meal'. Can refer to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any eating occasion. Used in both casual and formal settings.
食事の時間です。
It's time for a meal.
健康的な食事をとりましょう。
Let's have a healthy meal.
Literally 'cooked rice', but very commonly used to mean 'meal' in everyday conversation. Casual and warm in tone.
ご飯を食べに行かない？
Want to go get a meal?
朝ご飯は何を食べましたか。
What did you have for breakfast?
A more casual, masculine, or rough way to say 'meal' or 'food'. Often used among close friends or in informal settings.
飯食いに行こうぜ。
Let's go grab some grub.
To refer to a meal at a specific time of day.
Formal word for 'breakfast'. Used in written language or polite speech.
朝食は7時です。
Breakfast is at 7 o'clock.
Casual and common word for 'breakfast'.
Formal word for 'lunch'.
Casual and common word for 'lunch'.
Formal word for 'dinner/supper'.
Casual and common word for 'dinner/supper'.
Refers to a light snack between meals, often in the afternoon. Not a full meal, but a common eating occasion.
To refer to a meal as a social occasion, often at a restaurant or gathering.
A formal meal with others, often business-related. Implies a social dining event.
今夜は取引先との会食があります。
I have a business dinner with a client tonight.
Eating out, dining out. Refers to the act of having a meal outside the home.
To go for a meal. A natural way to suggest eating out together.
今夜、一緒に食事に行きませんか。
Would you like to go for a meal together tonight?
To refer to the food itself that constitutes a meal.
Refers to a dish or cuisine, often implying prepared food. Can be used for a meal when focusing on the food quality or type.
彼女は料理が上手だ。
She is good at cooking (making meals).
この店の料理は美味しい。
The food (meals) at this restaurant is delicious.
General word for 'food'. Can be used in contexts where 'meal' means the food consumed.
食事 (shokuji) is more formal and neutral, suitable for any situation. ご飯 (gohan) is casual and warm, but literally means 'rice', so it may not be appropriate when rice is not part of the meal. In very formal contexts, stick to 食事 or specific words like 朝食 (choushoku).
The loanword ミール (miiru) exists but is rarely used outside of specific contexts like 'meal ticket' (ミールチケット) or in some brand names. Using it for a regular meal sounds unnatural.
美味しい食事をしました。
I had a good meal.
食事は何時ですか。
What time is the meal?
朝ご飯を抜くのはよくないよ。
Skipping breakfast isn't good for you.
昼食は社員食堂でとります。
I have lunch at the company cafeteria.
昼ご飯に何を食べようか。
What should we have for lunch?
夕食の準備を手伝って。
Help me prepare dinner.
晩ご飯はカレーにしよう。
Let's have curry for dinner.
I had cookies for my 3 o'clock snack.
週末は外食することが多い。
We often eat out on weekends.
十分な食べ物を用意した。
We prepared plenty of food (for the meal).