よく焼いた
yoku yaita
The English phrase "cooked well done" is translated into Japanese as よく焼いた (yoku yaita).
よく焼いた is used to describe meat that has been cooked thoroughly until it is brown throughout. It describes the actual state of the meat rather than being a specific menu order as one might find in Western steakhouse terminology.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the adverb よく (yoku), meaning "well" or "thoroughly" and the past tense verb 焼いた (yaita), meaning "cooked" or "grilled".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase よく焼いた functions as an adjective phrase that must precede the noun it modifies, such as meat or steak.
How do you pronounce it?
yoku yaita
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese cuisine, meat was historically boiled or simmered rather than grilled, which is why specific terminology for degrees of steak doneness is a relatively modern addition to the language.
- The verb 焼く (yaku) is also the word used when someone accidentally burns their skin or a piece of paper, making it a word for both intentional cooking and accidental destruction.
- In Japanese yakiniku restaurants, you may see the term ウェルダン (werudan), which is a direct phonetic loan of the English 'well done'.
Examples in context
- ステーキをよく焼いてくださいPlease cook the steak well done.
- よく焼いたステーキが大好きです。Yoku yaita sutēki ga daisuki desu.I love well done steak.
- これはよく焼いたハンバーグですね。Kore wa yoku yaita hanbāgu desu ne.This is a well done hamburger steak, isn't it?
Example conversation
At a steakhouse, Yota and Misaki are ordering their food.
- 陽太 Yota僕はよく焼いた肉がいいな。Boku wa yoku yaita niku ga ii na.I want my meat cooked well done.
- 美咲 Misaki私はミディアムレアでお願いします。Watashi wa midiamu rea de onegaishimasu.I'll have mine medium rare, please.
- 陽太 Yota美咲は少し柔らかいのが好きなの？Misaki wa sukoshi yawarakai no ga suki nano?Misaki, do you like it a bit tender?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、その方が美味しいよ。Un, sono hō ga oishii yo.Yeah, it tastes better that way.
