朝食
chōshoku[t͡ɕo̞ːɕo̞kɯ̟]
The English phrase "breakfast" can be translated into Japanese as 朝食 (chōshoku). Wiktionary also lists 朝飯 (asameshi).
Meaning: first meal of the day (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 朝食 | chōshoku | [t͡ɕo̞ːɕo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) [a̠sa̠ɕo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 朝飯 | asameshi | [a̠sa̠me̞ɕi] (narrow) [a̠sa̠iː] (narrow) |
The term refers to the first meal of the day. To express the act of consuming the morning meal in a formal way, you can use the phrase 朝食を摂る.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 朝食 is composed of two parts: 朝 which means morning and 食 which means meal or food.
Which one should you use?
While 朝食 is the standard term, 朝飯 is a more casual, colloquial way to say breakfast that is often used by men or in rougher speech.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
chōshoku
Did you know?
- In Japan, a traditional breakfast often includes 'savory' items like grilled fish and miso soup rather than the 'sweet' options like pancakes or syrup common in the US.
- The kanji 朝 used in breakfast is the same character used to denote the Imperial Court, a term often translated as '朝廷'.
- The character 飯 in 朝飯 originally refers specifically to 'cooked rice', meaning the word literally translates to 'morning rice'.
Examples in context
- 僕が朝食作るよ。I'll make breakfast.This sentence uses the form 朝食 to show someone making the meal.Tatoeba #9237576 by small_snow, translation #9237575 by CK
- 朝食を抜きました。I skipped my breakfast.This sentence uses the form 朝食 to show skipping a meal.Tatoeba #126181 by small_snow, translation #277811 by CK
- 朝食は何を食べたの？What did you have for breakfast?This sentence uses the form 朝食 to ask what was eaten.Tatoeba #126196 by bunbuku, translation #277782 by CK
- Watashi wa asa-gohan o tabemasu. (私は朝ご飯を食べます。)I eat breakfast.
- Kyō no asa-meshi wa nani o tabemasu ka? (今日の朝飯は何を食べますか？)What will you have for breakfast today?
- Chōshoku wa itsu tabemasu ka? (朝食はいつ食べますか？)When do you have breakfast?
- 210 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Ren are discussing their morning routine.
- 陽葵 Himari今日の朝食は何がいい？Kyō no chōshoku wa nani ga ii?What would you like for breakfast today?
- 蓮 Renトーストでいいよ。Tōsuto de ii yo.Toast is fine.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、朝食を準備するね。Jā, chōshoku o junbi suru ne.Okay, I will prepare breakfast.
- 蓮 Renありがとう、陽葵。Arigatō, Hiyori.Thank you, Hiyori.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “breakfast” translations and entries 朝食, 朝飯, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 朝食, 朝飯, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
