違う食べ物
chigau tabemono
The English phrase "different foods" is translated into Japanese as 違う食べ物 (chigau tabemono).
This phrase is used to describe foods that are not the same as each other or as another specific food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 違う (chigau), meaning "to differ" or "to be different" and 食べ物 (tabemono), meaning "food".
Which one should you use?
If you specifically mean "another food" or "a different one" (referring to a different option from the one currently being discussed), the phrase 別の食べ物 is often more natural.
How do you pronounce it?
chigau tabemono
Did you know?
- The word 違う is derived from a verb meaning 'to go astray' or 'to deviate' from a path.
- The word 違う is often used as a standalone exclamation to mean 'That's not right!' or 'No way!' This adds a layer of intensity to the word that goes beyond its use as a simple adjective for 'different'.
- The word 食べ物 (tabemono) literally translates to 'eating thing', as Japanese often creates nouns for objects by combining a verb with the word for 'thing'.
Examples in context
- 違う食べ物を並べた。chigau tabemono o narabeta.I lined up different foods.
- これは、さっきのとは違う食べ物です。kore wa, sakki no to wa chigau tabemono desu.This is a different food from the one before.
- 違う食べ物がたくさんありますね。chigau tabemono ga takusan arimasu ne.There are many different foods, aren't there?
Example conversation
Hime and Hiroto are looking at a food court menu.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くん、何を食べる？Hiroto-kun, nani o taberu?Hiroto, what are you going to eat?
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵ちゃんとは違う食べ物がいいな。Hime-chan to wa chigau tabemono ga ii na.I want a different food from what you're having, Hime.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、私はカレーにするね。Jaa, watashi wa karee ni suru ne.Then, I'll go with the curry.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかった。僕はラーメンにするよ。Wakatta. Boku wa raamen ni suru yo.Got it. I'll have the ramen.
