具
gu
gu is the Japanese word for the ingredients or fillings added to a dish.
The term is most commonly used to refer to the solid ingredients or fillings within a liquid or a container, such as the vegetables and meat in miso soup or the fillings in a dumpling.
What does it mean word for word?
The kanji 具 literally refers to a tool, utensil or the material/substance used to make something.
How do you pronounce it?
gu
Did you know?
- The word gu carries a philosophical connection to the tangible world, as it is the root of the word gu-tai, which means 'concrete' or 'physical'.
- The word gu shares the same root as the term gu-zō, which refers to the concrete details or the 'meat' of a story or argument.
- In Japanese, you can praise a chef for making a soup 'gu-dakusan', which literally translates to having 'lots of fillings' to describe a meal as hearty.
Examples in context
- 味噌汁の具は何ですか？Misoshiru no gu wa nan desu ka?What are the ingredients in the miso soup?
- このおにぎりは具がたっぷり入っています。Kono onigiri wa gu ga tappuri haitte imasu.This rice ball has plenty of filling.
- 具を細かく切ってください。Gu o komakaku kitte kudasai.Please chop the ingredients finely.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Yota are preparing a meal together.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、お好み焼きの具は何にする？Hiyori, okonomiyaki no gu wa nani ni suru?Hiyori, what ingredients should we put in the okonomiyaki?
- 陽葵 Himariキャベツと豚肉を入れましょう。Kyabetsu to butaniku o iremashō.Let's put in cabbage and pork.
- 陽太 Yotaいい考えだね。具を準備するよ。Ii kangae da ne. Gu o junbi suru yo.That's a good idea. I'll prepare the fillings.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、陽太。Arigatō, Yōta.Thank you, Yota.
