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.
Refers to the staple food of a diet, such as rice, bread, or noodles. Commonly used in nutritional or cultural contexts.
日本人の主食は米です。
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.
Something that is basic, essential, or a standard part of something.
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.
Means 'necessity' or 'essential item'. Used when emphasizing that something is indispensable.
A small piece of bent wire used to fasten papers together.
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.
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.
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 product of this company is smartphones.
米は日本人にとって必需品です。
Rice is a staple for Japanese people.
The stapler ran out of staples.