料理をしています
ryōri o shite imasu
The Japanese phrase for "I am cooking" is 料理をしています (ryōri o shite imasu).
This phrase is used to say that you are currently in the process of preparing food.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 料理をしています is the polite version used with strangers or superiors. In contrast, 料理をしている is the casual/informal version of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
ryōri o shite imasu
Did you know?
- The word 料理 is also used in a completely different context to mean 'settling' or 'handling' a difficult situation or a person, similar to the English phrase 'to cook up a plan'.
- The word 料理 (ryōri) literally means 'to govern or to manage', suggesting that cooking is the art of managing various ingredients.
- The word 料理 (ryōri) originally comes from words meaning 'to manage' and 'to handle'. In ancient times it referred to the general management of a household rather than just preparing food.
Examples in context
- 私は料理をしています。I am cooking
- 台所で料理をしています。Daidokoro de ryouri o shiteimasu.I am cooking in the kitchen.
Example conversation
Yōta is in the kitchen when Misaki comes home.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さん、何をしているの？Yōta-san, nani o shite iru no?Yōta, what are you doing?
- 陽太 Yota今、料理をしています。Ima, ryōri o shite imasu.I am cooking right now.
- 美咲 Misakiいい匂い！何を作っているの？Ii nioi! Nani o tsukutte iru no?It smells great! What are you making?
- 陽太 Yotaカレーを作っていますよ。Karē o tsukutte imasu yo.I am making curry.
