Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| レストラン | resutoran | [ɾe̞sɨ̥to̞ɾã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| 食堂 | shokudō | [ɕo̞kɯ̟do̞ː] (narrow) [d͡ʑikʲido̞ː] (narrow) |
| 料理屋 | ryōriya | |
| 料理店 | ryōriten | [ɾʲo̞ːɾʲitẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
Depending on the context, you might use different terms for an eating establishment. While レストラン is common, you can also use the informal term お店 to refer to a restaurant in a relaxed way, though it can also mean a general store or shop.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 料理店 is a compound meaning a 'cooking shop', combining 料理 (cooking) and 店 (shop/store).
Which one should you use?
The forms you choose depend on the type of establishment. レストラン is a loanword that typically refers to Western-style restaurants or modern, upscale dining establishments. In contrast, 食堂 refers to more casual, utilitarian eating places such as school cafeterias, company dining halls or simple local eateries. For traditional Japanese-style restaurants that may offer a more formal or specialized experience, use 料理屋. 料理店 also serves as a formal way to say restaurant, literally meaning a 'cooking shop'.
How do you pronounce it?
resutoran
Did you know?
- Some traditional 料理屋 require a referral or an introduction from a regular customer before a new guest can book a table.
- At many casual 食堂, diners often pay for their meal at a ticket machine before they even sit down.
- The word 食堂 was originally used to describe a 'refectory' or dining hall inside a Buddhist temple.
Examples in context
- レストランは満席です。The restaurant is full.This sentence is useful for saying the restaurant is full using レストラン.Tatoeba #12698613 by small_snow, translation #2515299 by Hybrid
- レストランはどこですか？Where is the restaurant?This sentence is useful for asking where the restaurant is using レストラン.Tatoeba #5070677 by 999yudai, translation #2312415 by Adelpa
- レストランを開きたいの。I want to open my own restaurant.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to open a restaurant using レストラン.Tatoeba #10081472 by small_snow, translation #3773368 by Hybrid
- 今夜、レストランに行きます。I am going to a restaurant tonight.
- あの近所の飯屋が美味しいよ！That local eatery is delicious!
- 今日はレストランでお食事する予定です。I'm planning to have a meal at a restaurant today.
- 友達とお店に行って何を食べようか迷っています。I'm having trouble deciding what to eat at the restaurant with my friend.
- 159 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding where to have dinner.
- 美咲 Misaki新しいレストランに行きませんか？Atarashii resutoran ni ikimasen ka?Shall we go to the new restaurant?
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。行きましょう。Ii desu ne. Ikimashou.That sounds good. Let's go.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは、パスタは好きですか？Youta-san wa, pasuta wa suki desu ka?Youta, do you like pasta?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、大好きです。Hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “restaurant” translations and entries レストラン, 食堂, 料理屋, 料理店, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
