料理
ryōri[ɾʲo̞ːɾʲi]
The Japanese word for cooking is 料理 (ryōri).
料理 is a common and neutral term that can refer to the act of cooking, the skill of cooking, a specific prepared dish or cuisine in general.
Meaning: one's ability to prepare food, cookery (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
While 料理 is a noun, you can turn it into the verb 料理する (to cook) by adding the verb する (suru, 'to do') to the end. You can also create the term 料理中 by adding 中 (chū) to the noun to express that someone is currently in the middle of preparing food.
How do you pronounce it?
ryōri
When do people say it?
Before starting a meal, it is common to say Itadakimasu to express gratitude for the food being eaten.
Did you know?
- The kanji 理 in 料理 originally referred to the veins in jade or the 'logic' of things, implying that cooking is the act of bringing order to ingredients.
- The same word 料理 can also be used to mean 'to manipulate' or 'to scheme' in a metaphorical, negative sense, similar to how one might 'cook the books' in English.
- The word 料理 can also describe the act of 'settling' a problem or 'managing' a difficult person, acting as a synonym for resolving a situation.
Examples in context
- トムは料理する。Tom is cooking.This sentence shows the use of 料理 to describe someone cooking.Tatoeba #7462002 by Ninja, translation #2261158 by CK
- 今、料理中なの。I'm cooking now.This sentence uses 料理 to indicate being currently in the middle of cooking.Tatoeba #10230400 by bunbuku, translation #3128100 by CK
- 料理は苦手です。I'm not good at cooking.This sentence uses 料理 to express a lack of skill in cooking.Tatoeba #10540385 by small_snow, translation #10540381 by sundown
- 114 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about their hobbies.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんは料理が好きですか？Kenta-san wa ryōri ga suki desu ka?Kenta, do you like cooking?
- 健太 Kentaはい、料理は趣味なんです。Hai, ryōri wa shumi nan desu.Yes, cooking is my hobby.
- 美咲 Misakiすごい！得意な料理は何ですか？Sugoi! Tokui na ryōri wa nan desu ka?Amazing! What dish are you good at cooking?
- 健太 Kentaイタリア料理が得意ですよ。Itaria ryōri ga tokui desu yo.I am good at Italian cooking.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 料理, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
