Translation guide
A staple can refer to a basic food item, a main or important element, or a metal fastener. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
A food that is eaten regularly and is a main part of a diet.
Something that is basic, essential, or a standard part of something.
A small piece of bent wire used to fasten papers together.
主食 is only for food staples. For non-food items that are standard or classic, use 定番. Using 主食 for a product or activity sounds unnatural.
この店の定番はラーメンです。
The staple of this restaurant is ramen.
Japanese doesn't have a direct verb 'to staple'. Instead, use phrases like ホッチキスでとめる (fasten with a stapler) or ホッチキスで留める (staple).
書類をホッチキスでとめてください。
Please staple the documents.
The staple food of Japanese people is rice.
Means 'regular food' or 'daily diet'. Slightly more formal and less common than 主食.
この地域ではじゃがいもが常食です。
In this region, potatoes are a staple food.
Refers to a classic, standard item that is always included or popular. Very common in everyday speech.
この店の定番メニューはカレーです。
The staple menu item of this restaurant is curry.
夏の定番といえば花火です。
When it comes to summer staples, fireworks are it.
Means 'main' or 'principal'. Used as an adjective to describe something that is a key component.
この地域の主要な産業は農業です。
The staple industry of this region is agriculture.
Means 'main force' or 'leading product'. Often used in business or military contexts.
この会社の主力商品はスマートフォンです。
The staple product of this company is smartphones.
Means 'necessity' or 'essential item'. Used when emphasizing that something is indispensable.
米は日本人にとって必需品です。
Rice is a staple for Japanese people.
The Japanese word for 'stapler'. Note that this refers to the device, not the individual staple. The individual staple is often called ホッチキスの針 (staple needle).
ホッチキスで書類をとめてください。
Please staple the documents.
Alternative word for 'stapler', from English. Less common than ホッチキス.
ステープラーの針が切れました。
The stapler ran out of staples.
Refers to the individual staple (the metal piece). Use this when you need to specify the staple itself.
ホッチキスの針を買わなければなりません。
I need to buy staples.