Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| シェフ | shefu | [ɕe̞ɸɯ̟̊] (narrow) |
| 料理人 | ryōrinin | [ɾʲo̞ːɾʲiɲ̟ĩɴ] (narrow) |
| 調理師 | chōrishi | [t͡ɕo̞ːɾʲiɕi] (narrow) |
| コック | kokku | [ko̞k̚kɯ̟] (narrow) |
Japanese has several terms for a chef depending on their specialty and the context. For example, Itamae specifically refers to a sushi chef and Washoku-shi designates a chef specializing in traditional Japanese cuisine.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 料理人 is composed of 料理, meaning cooking or cuisine and 人, meaning person.
Which one should you use?
シェフ is a loanword that carries a modern, stylish or Western-style connotation. In contrast, 料理人 is a neutral, descriptive term for a person who cooks, often used in more traditional or formal contexts. 調理師 is a more formal or technical term referring specifically to a person who holds a professional culinary license or works in a technical capacity. Finally, コック is a loanword from the English word 'cook' that can sound slightly old-fashioned or less prestigious than シェフ.
How do you pronounce it?
shefu
Did you know?
- The word 板前 ('itamae') literally means 'in front of the board', referring to the wooden counter where a sushi chef works.
- While コック sounds like the English word 'cook', it actually entered the Japanese language via the Dutch word kok.
- The term 料理人 is often used in the phrase 料理人の道, which describes the lifelong, spiritual pursuit of mastering the culinary arts.
Examples in context
- トムはシェフじゃないよ。Tom isn't a chef.This sentence uses シェフ to negate someone's profession.Tatoeba #8969452 by small_snow, translation #8966693 by CK
- その料理人は毎日違う料理を拵える。That chef prepares different meals every day.This sentence uses 料理人 to describe the daily work of a chef.Tatoeba #1700113 by mookeee, translation #2593268 by CK
- ナポレオン時代のフランス、卓越した才能で魅了するシェフがスパイに転じる。A brilliant, seductive chef turns to espionage in Napoleon-era France.This sentence uses シェフ in a narrative context about a chef in historical France.Tatoeba #13241901 by LeviHighway, translation #13241898 by LeviHighway
- 彼女は有名なシェフです。She is a famous chef.
- シェフの特別なコースを楽しみにしています。I am looking forward to the chef's special course.
- このレストランの料理師は本当に上手ですね。The cooks in this restaurant are really skilled.
- 私も将来、料理師になりたいです。I also want to become a chef in the future.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small Italian restaurant, discussing the menu.
- 陽葵 Himariこの店のシェフは、とても若いんですか？Kono mise no shefu wa, totemo wakai n desu ka?Is the chef of this restaurant very young?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、彼は天才的なシェフですよ。Hai, kare wa tensai-teki na shefu desu yo.Yes, he is a genius chef.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、今日のおすすめは何ですか？Jaa, kyou no osusume wa nan desu ka?Then, what is today's recommendation?
- 大翔 Hirotoシェフ特製のパスタが一番人気です。Shefu tokusei no pasuta ga ichiban ninki desu.The chef's special pasta is the most popular.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chef” translations and entries シェフ, 料理人, 調理師, コック, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries コック, シェフ, 料理人, 調理師, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
