料理する
ryōri suru
To cook in Japanese is 料理する (ryōri suru).
The phrase means to prepare food by combining ingredients and applying heat. While 料理する refers to the general activity or skill of cooking, you may also encounter the term 調理する, which is a more formal way to emphasize the specific act of food preparation.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 料理する is formed by combining the noun 料理 (cooking) with the verb する (to do).
Which one should you use?
Use 料理する when you are talking about the general skill or the activity of cooking. In contrast, use 料理を作る when you are referring to the specific act of making a particular dish or a meal.
How do you pronounce it?
ryōri suru
Did you know?
- The word 料理 (ryōri) can also mean 'to handle' or 'to deal with' a person or situation. In a slang context, it can mean to 'take care of' an opponent or to manipulate a result.
- The character 理 in 料理 originally referred to the patterns in jade or the act of organizing things. This suggests that 'cooking' in Japanese is historically viewed as an act of ordering and organizing ingredients.
- While 料理する is the general term, Japanese has specific verbs for cooking methods that English often groups under 'cook', such as 煮る (niru) for simmering and 焼く (yaku) for grilling or roasting.
Examples in context
- 料理するのは好き？Do you like to cook?This sentence uses the form 料理する to ask about a person's preference for the activity of cooking.Tatoeba #1452352 by bunbuku, translation #2010244 by CM
- 外が暑い時に料理するのは好きではない。I don't like to cook when it's hot outside.This sentence uses the form 料理する to express a dislike for cooking during hot weather.Tatoeba #184899 by bunbuku, translation #22030 by CK
- 彼女は家族のために料理するのが好きです。She likes to cook for her family.This sentence uses the form 料理する to describe someone's habit of cooking for their family.Tatoeba #90846 by bunbuku, translation #312868 by CK
- 今夜は何を料理しますか？What are you cooking tonight?
- イタリア料理を調理するのが得意です。I'm skilled at preparing Italian cuisine.
- お米を炊いてください。Please cook the rice.
- 明日は何か美味しいもの作ろう。Let's cook/make something delicious tomorrow.
- 一緒に料理しよう！Let's cook together!
- 今晩はおかずを作るよ。I will cook the side dishes tonight.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about dinner plans at home.
- 結衣 Yui今夜は私が料理するね。Konya wa watashi ga ryouri suru ne.I will cook tonight.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当？ありがとう、結衣。Hontou? Arigatou, Yui.Really? Thanks, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui大翔は何が食べたい？Hiroto wa nani ga tabetai?What do you want to eat, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoカレーを料理してほしいな。Karee o ryouri shite hoshii na.I'd like you to cook curry.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
