おにぎり
onigiri
The English phrase "rice ball" is translated into Japanese as おにぎり (onigiri).
A rice ball refers to a Japanese snack made of steamed rice that has been formed into an oval or triangular shape. The term おにぎり is the most common and widely understood way to say rice ball in Japan.
Which one should you use?
While おにぎり is the standard term, おむすび is another way to refer to a rice ball that is used in informal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
onigiri
Did you know?
- While おにぎり and おむすび both mean rice ball, the latter is sometimes associated with a religious belief that the triangular shape helps the person eat the 'spirit' or 'energy' of the rice.
- During the Edo period, おにぎり became a popular travel food because the rice stayed preserved longer when salted and wrapped, acting as a portable meal for pilgrims.
- Despite the phrase meaning 'rice ball', the verb にぎる used in おにぎり actually means 'to squeeze' or 'to grip', describing the specific physical action of shaping the rice with the hand.
Examples in context
- 今日の昼ごはんに、可愛い三角形のおにぎりを作りました！I made cute triangle-shaped onigiri for lunch today!
- 今日、ローソンで美味しいおにぎりを買いました！I bought a delicious onigiri from Lawson today!
- コンビニでおにぎりを買いました。Konbini de onigiri o kaimashita.I bought a rice ball at the convenience store.
- おにぎりの中身は何ですか？Onigiri no nakami wa nan desu ka?What is inside the rice ball?
- 鮭のおにぎりが一番好きです。Sake no onigiri ga ichiban suki desu.I like salmon rice balls the best.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are talking about their lunch.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、お昼は何を食べる？Yui, ohiru wa nani o taberu?Yui, what are you eating for lunch?
- 結衣 Yuiおにぎりとサラダを食べるよ。Onigiri to sarada o taberu yo.I'm having a rice ball and a salad.
- 陽太 Yotaいいな。僕はお弁当を持ってきた。Ii na. Boku wa obento o motte kita.Lucky. I brought a lunch box.
- 結衣 Yui陽太のお弁当、美味しそうだね。Yota no obento, oishisou da ne.Your lunch box looks delicious, Yota.
