自炊
jisui
In Japanese, the phrase for cooking for yourself is 自炊 (jisui).
自炊 refers to the act of preparing your own meals at home instead of eating out or buying pre-made food. It is the direct conceptual opposite of 外食, which refers to eating out at restaurants. You can turn this noun into a verb by adding する to create 自炊する, meaning to cook for oneself. For example, 焼く is a verb used to mean baking or grilling.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 自炊 is composed of the kanji 自, meaning self and 炊, meaning to cook or boil.
Which one should you use?
While 自炊 is a common way to discuss this topic, you can also use longer phrases. 自分で料理を作る is a common way to say one cooks for oneself in an informal context, whereas 自分自身で料理を作る is used in formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe an ongoing habit or a person's current lifestyle of cooking their own meals, you can use the form 自炊している.
How do you pronounce it?
jisui
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term 中食 for the middle ground between 自炊 and 外食, referring to buying prepared food from a store to eat at home.
- The kanji 炊 in 自炊 specifically refers to cooking rice, reflecting the historical importance of rice as the central staple of a home-cooked meal.
- In Japanese media and online communities, 自炊 is often treated as a badge of honor or a sign of independence, rather than just a chore.
Examples in context
- わたしは独り暮らしで自炊しています。I cook for myself while living alone.
- 彼は自分自身で料理を作るのが上手です。He is good at cooking for himself.
- 誕生日には友達を招くけど、日常は一人暮らしで自炊する。I invite friends over on birthdays, but in my daily life, I cook for myself while living alone.
- 忙しいから外食することが多いけど、たまには自分で料理を作るよ。I eat out often because I'm busy, but occasionally I cook for myself.
- 最近は、節約のために自炊しています。Saikin wa, setsuyaku no tame ni jisui shite imasu.Lately, I've been cooking for myself to save money.
- 自炊は、とても楽しいですよ。Jisui wa, totemo tanoshii desu yo.Cooking for yourself is a lot of fun.
- 一人暮らしを始めたら、自炊が必要になります。Hitorigurashi o hajimetara, jisui ga hitsuyou ni narimasu.When you start living alone, you will need to cook for yourself.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their daily lifestyle in a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さんは、普段、自炊していますか？Youta-san wa, fudan, jisui shite imasu ka?Youta, do you usually cook for yourself?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、平日は自炊するようにしています。Hai, heijitsu wa jisui suru you ni shite imasu.Yes, I try to cook for myself on weekdays.
- 結衣 Yuiすごいですね、健康的な生活ですね。Sugoi desu ne, kenkou-tekina seikatsu desu ne.That's amazing, it's a healthy lifestyle.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さんも、自炊はどうですか？Yui-san mo, jisui wa dou desu ka?How about you, Yui, do you cook for yourself?
