Translation guide
Describes items that are pre-made, not custom or homemade. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with 既製 (kisei) for manufactured goods, 出来合い (dekiai) for food or generic items, or レディメード (redimēdo) as a loanword. The best choice depends on context: clothing, food, or abstract ideas.
Describing factory-made items, especially clothing, as opposed to custom-made or tailored.
This suit is ready-made.
The ready-made clothes don't fit me.
Loanword from English, used in fashion and sometimes in art contexts (e.g., Duchamp's readymades). Less common than 既製 in everyday speech.
I bought a ready-made dress.
Describing food that is pre-cooked or pre-prepared, not made to order or homemade.
Refers to food that is ready-made, often store-bought or pre-prepared. Can also be used more broadly for anything ready-made, but is very common for food.
I made do with ready-made side dishes.
Can also be used for food, especially in commercial contexts (e.g., 既製食品), but 出来合い is more common in daily conversation.
Means 'already cooked/prepared'. Used for food that is ready to eat or heat. Often seen on packaging.
Describing anything that is mass-produced or not specially made, including opinions, solutions, etc.
Broadly used for anything ready-made, not just food. Can imply something is generic or not original.
I'm not satisfied with a ready-made answer.
Often used for abstract things like ideas or frameworks that are pre-established. Note: different kanji from 既製 (manufactured).
Means 'commonplace' or 'stereotyped', often used negatively for unoriginal ideas. Not a direct translation but conveys the sense of 'ready-made' in a figurative way.
既製 (kisei) is primarily for manufactured goods, especially clothing. 出来合い (dekiai) is more common for food and can be used broadly for anything ready-made. For abstract concepts, 既成 (kisei) with a different kanji is used.
ready-made dress shirt
ready-made salad
The direct translation 'レディーメイド' is understood but sounds like a loanword and is not the most natural choice in most contexts. Use 既製 or 出来合い instead.
I buy ready-made boxed lunches.
既製食品は便利だ。
Ready-made food products are convenient.
I use ready-made ingredients.
既成の概念にとらわれない。
Don't be bound by ready-made concepts.
ありきたりの返事しかもらえなかった。
I only got a ready-made reply.