Japanese Conversation · Level 36
90 words
Japanese word
弁当
Pronunciation
Romajibentō
Meaning
- nounbox lunch
Example
母が弁当を作りました。haha ga ben tō o tsuku ri ma shi ta
My mother made my box lunch.
More examples
昼休みに自分の弁当を食べます。hiru yasu mi ni ji bun no ben tō o ta be ma su
I eat my box lunch during lunch break.
Core concept
Centers on a meal made ready in advance, packed to travel, and eaten somewhere away from the kitchen.
Common phrases
弁当を作るben tō o tsuku ru
make a box lunch
弁当を詰めるben tō o tsu me ru
pack a box lunch
弁当を持っていくben tō o mo tte i ku
take a box lunch
弁当を持ってくるben tō o mo tte ku ru
bring a box lunch
弁当を食べるben tō o ta be ru
eat a box lunch
Definition in Japanese
持ち運べる容器に詰めた一人分の食事。mo chi hako be ru yō ki ni tsu me ta hito ri bun no shoku ji
Word origin
The Japanese noun 弁当 (bentō) derives from Chinese 便當 (biàndāng), meaning "convenient", and its meaning narrowed to a portable prepared meal.
Usage tips
- In English, bento usually means a Japanese-style packed meal arranged in a container with separate sections, while box lunch can describe many kinds of packed meals.