Translation guide
A staple food is a food that is eaten routinely and in such quantities that it constitutes a dominant portion of a standard diet for a given population, supplying a large fraction of energy needs and generally forming a significant proportion of the intake of other nutrients as well.
To refer to the primary carbohydrate source in a diet, such as rice, bread, or potatoes.
The standard term for 'staple food' in Japanese. It refers to the main source of carbohydrates in a meal, typically rice in Japan.
日本人の主食は米です。
The staple food of Japanese people is rice.
この地域ではじゃがいもが主食です。
In this region, potatoes are the staple food.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'food that becomes the staple'. Useful when explaining the concept.
米は多くのアジア諸国で主食となる食べ物です。
Rice is a food that serves as a staple in many Asian countries.
To name common staple foods in Japanese culture or globally.
Rice, the quintessential staple food in Japan. Often used to represent the concept of staple food in everyday conversation.
日本では米が主食です。
In Japan, rice is the staple food.
Bread, a common staple in Western countries and increasingly popular in Japan.
朝食にはパンを主食にしています。
I have bread as my staple food for breakfast.
Noodles, a staple in many Asian cuisines. Can refer to udon, soba, ramen, etc.
Potatoes, a staple in many Western and South American diets.
To discuss the concept of staple foods in terms of nutrition or food security.
Literally 'main foodstuff', used in more formal or technical contexts, such as discussions about food supply.
小麦は世界の主要食料の一つです。
Wheat is one of the world's staple foods.
Means 'basic food' or 'foundational food', used in policy or economic contexts.
政府は基礎食料の安定供給を確保する必要があります。
The government needs to ensure a stable supply of staple foods.
When talking about your own meals, you can say 主食は〇〇です (My staple food is...). In Japan, rice is so central that ご飯 (cooked rice) often implies the staple food of a meal.
主食 (staple food) is contrasted with おかず (side dishes). A typical Japanese meal consists of 主食 (rice), 汁物 (soup), and おかず (side dishes).
日本では米が主食です。
Rice is the staple food in Japan.
あなたの国では何が主食ですか？
What is the staple food in your country?
麺類は中国の主食の一つです。
Noodles are one of the staple foods in China.
アイルランドではじゃがいもが主食でした。
In Ireland, potatoes were the staple food.