餃子
gyōza[ɡʲo̞ːza̠]
The Japanese word for dumpling is 餃子, pronounced gyōza.
餃子 is most commonly used when referring to a side dish or a main course within the context of Japanese-style Chinese cuisine, known as Chūka.
Meaning: food (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Japanese, 餃子 specifically refers to pan-fried dumplings that contain a meat and vegetable filling. If you are referring to sweet, ball-shaped rice dumplings, you should use the word 団子 instead.
How do you pronounce it?
gyōza
Did you know?
- While many assume it is an ancient Japanese dish, the term 餃子 only appeared in Japanese print around 1955. This means the word itself is relatively modern in the context of the Japanese language.
- The modern Japanese 餃子 likely arrived via Manchukuo, a state controlled by Japan between 1932 and 1945.
- Some regions in Japan, particularly Utsunomiya and Hamamatsu, are so famous for 餃子 that they have dedicated 'dumpling streets' and annual festivals.
Examples in context
- Gyoza ga daisuki desu! (餃子が大好きです！)I love gyoza!
- Gyoza o hitotsu kudasai (餃子を一つください)Please give me one serving of gyoza.
- Dango no tsukurikata o oshiete kudasai (団子の作り方を教えてください)Please teach me how to make dumplings.
- 餃子が大好きです。gyōza ga daisuki desu.I love dumplings.
- 今日の夕食は餃子です。kyō no yūshoku wa gyōza desu.Today's dinner is dumplings.
- この餃子はとても美味しいです。kono gyōza wa totemo oishii desu.These dumplings are very delicious.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 結衣 Yui今日の夕食は何にしますか？kyō no yūshoku wa nan ni shimasu ka?What shall we have for dinner today?
- 健太 Kenta中華料理で餃子を食べませんか？chūka ryōri de gyōza o tabemasen ka?Why don't we have dumplings for Chinese food?
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね！私も餃子が食べたかったです。ii desu ne! watashi mo gyōza ga tabetakatta desu.That sounds great! I wanted to eat dumplings too.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、駅前の店に行きましょう。jaa, ekimae no mise ni ikimashō.Then, let's go to the restaurant in front of the station.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dumpling” translations and entries 餃子, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 餃子, CC BY-SA 4.0.
