Japanese word

タン

Pronunciation

Romajitan

Meaning

  • nounbeef tongue

Example

焼肉店でタンを注文しました。yaki niku ten de ta n o chū mon shi ma shi ta

I ordered beef tongue at a barbecue restaurant.

Illustration for タン (beef tongue)

More examples

タンは焼きすぎると、硬くなってしまいます。ta n wa ya ki su gi ru to kata ku na tte shi ma i ma su

Beef tongue becomes tough if it is overcooked.

Core concept

Refers to a cow's tongue considered as food, especially when served as meat.

Common phrases

  • タン塩ta n shio

    salt-seasoned beef tongue

  • タン元ta n moto

    beef tongue base

  • タン先ta n saki

    beef tongue tip

  • 厚切りのタンatsu gi ri no ta n

    thick-cut beef tongue

Definition in Japanese

牛の舌を食用にした肉またはその料理。ushi no shita o shoku yō ni shi ta niku ma ta wa so no ryō ri

Word origin

The Japanese noun タン (tan, "beef tongue") comes from English tongue, with its pronunciation adapted to Japanese.

Usage tips

  • In English, tongue also means a language or a person's speaking style, but beef tongue specifically refers to the edible organ.

Word lists with this word