11. Basic vocabulary: Food and drink

Chapter 11: Basic Vocabulary: Food and Drink

In this chapter, we'll explore basic Japanese food and drink vocabulary. Understanding this vocabulary is essential for navigating restaurants, supermarkets, and even social situations where food and drink are present. Let's get started!

Food (食べ物 - Tabemono)

In Japanese, the general word for food is 'Tabemono'. However, Japan has a variety of traditional dishes, and each has its own name. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Rice (ご飯 - Gohan): Rice is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is eaten at almost every meal. There are different types of rice, but the most common is 'Hakumai' (白米), which is white rice.
• Fish (魚 - Sakana): Japan is an island country, so fish is an important part of the Japanese diet. Fish can be served in a variety of ways, including raw (as in sushi), grilled, boiled, etc.
• Sushi (寿司 - Sushi): This is probably the best known Japanese dish in the world. Sushi consists of sushi rice (rice seasoned with vinegar, salt and sugar) and a variety of ingredients such as raw fish, vegetables, egg, etc.
• Noodles (麺 - Men): There are several types of noodles in Japan, including 'Ramen' (ラーメン), 'Udon' (うどん) and 'Soba' (そば).
• Meat (肉 - Niku): Although fish is more common, meat is also consumed in Japan. 'Yakiniku' (焼き肉) refers to grilled meat, while 'Gyudon' (牛丼) is a bowl of rice topped with beef.

Drink (飲み物 - Nomimono)

The general word for drink in Japanese is 'Nomimono'. Here are some types of drinks you can find in Japan:

• Water (水 - Mizu): Just like anywhere, water is a basic necessity. In restaurants, it is usually served free.
• Tea (茶 - Cha): Tea is a very common beverage in Japan. There are several types, including 'Ryokucha' (緑茶 - green tea), 'Hojicha' (ほうじ茶 - roasted tea) and 'Matcha' (抹茶- powdered green tea).
• Beer (ビール - Biiru): Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage in Japan. Well-known brands include 'Asahi', 'Kirin' and 'Sapporo'.
• Sake (酒 - Sake): Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. Can be served hot or cold.
• Coffee (コーヒー - Koohii): Coffee is also quite popular in Japan, with many coffee shops across the country.

We hope this chapter has helped you expand your Japanese vocabulary when it comes to food and drink. In the next chapter, we'll explore vocabulary related to family and personal relationships. Remember, practice is the key to becoming fluent in any language, so keep practicing and revising what you learn.がんばってください (Ganbatte kudasai - Do your best)!

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53Basic vocabulary: Clothing and shopping

3 minutes