料理長
ryōrichō
The English phrase "head chef" is translated into Japanese as 料理長 (ryōrichō).
料理長 is a term used to denote the person in charge of the kitchen in a professional restaurant setting.
Meaning: main chef (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 料理 (ryōri), meaning 'cooking' and 長 (chō), meaning 'head' or 'leader'.
Which one should you use?
While 料理長 is a formal title for the person in charge, the katakana loanword シェフ is often used more broadly to refer to chefs in general or to add a more modern, Western feel to the description.
How do you pronounce it?
ryōrichō
Did you know?
- If you are in a kitchen that specializes in sushi, you would likely address the head chef as 大将 (taishō). While this can mean 'general' in a military context, in a restaurant it is a respectful way to address the master.
- In traditional Japanese cuisine, the head chef is often called 板前 (itamae), which literally means 'in front of the board'. This refers to the chef's position standing before the wooden cutting board while facing the customers.
- In some specialized Japanese culinary traditions, the head chef of a noodle shop might be called 親方 (oyakata), a term usually reserved for masters of traditional arts or crafts.
Examples in context
- トムはボストンのレストランで料理長をしているんです。Tom is the head chef at a restaurant in Boston.This sentence is useful for describing someone's profession as a 料理長 in a specific location.Tatoeba #11608532 by bunbuku, translation #5909860 by CK
- 関西料理の名店には素晴らしい料理長が集まっています。Excellent head chefs gather in famous Kansai cuisine restaurants.
- その店の料理長は、地元の旬の食材を工夫して使います。The head chef of that restaurant creatively uses local seasonal ingredients.
- 彼はこのホテルの料理長です。Kare wa kono hoteru no ryōrichō desu.He is the head chef of this hotel.
- 料理長に、この料理をチェックしてほしいです。Ryōrichō ni, kono ryōri o chekku shite hoshii desu.I want the head chef to check this dish.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are visiting a high-end restaurant.
- 結衣 Yuiここの料理長はとても有名なんだって。Koko no ryōrichō wa totemo yūmei nan datte.I heard the head chef here is very famous.
- 健太 Kenta本当だね。料理長に会えるかな？Hontō dane. Ryōrichō ni aeru kana?That's true. I wonder if we can meet the head chef?
- 結衣 Yuiきっと、忙しいはずだよ。Kitto, isogashii hazu da yo.He is surely busy.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、じゃあ、まずは食べよう！Sō dane, jaa, mazu wa tabeyō!You're right, well, let's eat first!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
