カレーライス
karē raisu
The English phrase "japanese curry" is translated into Japanese as カレーライス (karē raisu).
カレーライス refers to a thick, mild curry stew typically served with steamed white rice. You may also use the shortened form カレー to refer to the curry itself or the dish in general conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a combination of the loanword カレー (curry) and ライス (rice).
Which one should you use?
While カレーライス specifically identifies the dish of curry served over rice, the shortened form カレー is often used in general conversation to refer to the curry or the meal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Specific regional variations include 京風カレー, which refers to Kyoto-style curry and 北海道カレー, which refers to Hokkaido-style curry.
How do you pronounce it?
karē raisu
Did you know?
- While the word カレーライス comes from English, the dish was actually introduced to Japan by the British Royal Navy during the Meiji era.
- While カレーライス is a staple of home cooking, it is also the most common meal served in the Japanese Self-Defense Forces as a way to boost morale.
- In Japanese, the word for rice in the phrase カレーライス is the loanword ライス instead of the native word ご飯 (gohan). This distinction is often used to signify that the meal is a Western-influenced 'yoshoku' dish.
Examples in context
- 今日の晩ごはんはカレーだよ！Today's dinner is curry!
- 友達とカレーライスを作りました。I made Japanese curry with my friend.
- 今日の夕食はカレーライスです。Kyō no yūshoku wa karēraisu desu.Today's dinner is Japanese curry.
- 私はカレーライスが大好きです。Watashi wa karēraisu ga daisuki desu.I love Japanese curry.
- お昼にカレーライスを食べました。Ohiru ni karēraisu o tabemashita.I ate Japanese curry for lunch.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 蓮 Renお昼、何にする？Ohiru, nani ni suru?What should we have for lunch?
- 結衣 Yuiカレーライスはどうかな？Karēraisu wa dō kana?How about Japanese curry?
- 蓮 Renいいよ、食べよう！Ii yo, tabeyō!Sounds good, let's eat!
- 結衣 Yui近くに美味しいお店があるよ。Chikaku ni oishii omise ga aru yo.There is a delicious shop nearby.
