1.3 Language Lesson 1 – Food

 

 

Review of Module 1 Japanese vocabulary:

Here's a review of some key Japanese vocabulary we've discussed so far.

Note: vocabulary words are listed in kanji 漢字 (Chinese characters) then hiragana ひらがな (alphabet based on kanji for Japanese words) or katakana カタカナ (alphabet based on kanji for words of foreign origin) then roman letters. This is due to the fact that a combination of the three is most prevalent in public spaces (the first example). Audio is included below for pronunciation.

Types of Cuisine

和食　(わしょく, washoku) = Japanese food; native/indigenous food

洋食　(ようしょく, youshoku) = Western food; or the food of the most powerful Other

料理　(りょうり, ryouri) = cooking; cuisine; dish

中華料理　(ちゅうか りょうり, chuuka ryouri) = Chinese food

エスニック料理　(esunikku ryouri) = ethnic cuisine

 

Noun

物　(もの, mono) = thing

食べ物　（たべもの, tabemono) = things we eat; food

飲みもの　(のみもの, nomimono) = things we drink; drink

ご飯　（ごはん, gohan）＝ food; rice

朝ご飯　(あさごはん, asagohan) = breakfast; choushoku

昼ごはん （ひるごはん, hirugohan) = lunch; chuushoku

晩ご飯　(ばんごはん, bangohan) = dinner; shokuji, 夕飯　(ゆうはん, yuuhan) = dinner

 

Verbs

食べる　(たべる, taberu) = to eat = (I) will eat; Will you eat? (informal: Use with kids, family, and people you have hung out with.)

食べます (たべます, tabemasu) = (I) will eat. (polite: Always use this form as a visitor!); add か ka at the end if you're asking a question: Tabemasuka?: Will you eat?

Even more polite: Itadakimasu いただきます: I will eat (thank you graciously); Itadakimasuka? Would you like to eat?

飲む　(のむ, nomu) = to drink = (I) will drink: Will you drink? (informal)

飲みます　(のみます, nomimasu) = (I) will drink (polite); add か ka at the end to ask: Nomimasuka? Will you drink?

 

Grammar: Object + を o  (particle) + verb

 

Key expressions:

飲みものをください。

Nomi mono o kudasai.

( Actual word order above). Drink please give me. = Please give me a drink.