Japanese word

料亭

Pronunciation

Romajiryōtei

Meaning

  • nounhigh-class Japanese restaurant

Example

父は東京の料亭に招待されました。chichi wa tō kyō no ryō tei ni shō tai sa re ma shi ta

My father was invited to a high-class Japanese restaurant in Tokyo.

Illustration for 料亭 (high-class Japanese restaurant)

More examples

京都の料亭で日本料理の作法を学びました。kyō to no ryō tei de nihon ryō ri no sa hō o mana bi ma shi ta

I learned Japanese dining etiquette at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Kyoto.

Core concept

Names a prestigious place for Japanese dining where the setting and hospitality are considered part of the meal.

Common phrases

  • 料亭で食事をするryō tei de shoku ji o su ru

    dine at a high-class Japanese restaurant

  • 料亭を訪れるryō tei o otozu re ru

    visit a high-class Japanese restaurant

  • 料亭の個室ryō tei no ko shitsu

    private room at a high-class Japanese restaurant

Similar words

割烹kappō: A Japanese restaurant focused on refined cooking methods, quality ingredients, and presentation.
料理屋ryōriya: A general term for an establishment that prepares and serves dishes for customers.
日本料理店nihonryōriten: An establishment devoted to serving Japanese cuisine in either a casual or a formal setting.

Definition in Japanese

料理だけでなく、建物や部屋の趣と接客も重んじる高級な日本料理店。ryō ri da ke de na ku tate mono ya heya no omomuki to sek kyaku mo omo n ji ru kō kyū na nihon ryō ri ten

Word origin

The compound 料亭 (ryōtei) joins 料 (ryō, "food") with 亭 (tei, "pavilion"), a combination that came to denote a high-class restaurant rather than a simple eating place.

Usage tips

  • The English loanword ryotei usually points to a more formal setting than the general word restaurant, especially when the meal includes traditional service and presentation.

Other meanings

  • traditional Japanese eaterynoun

Word lists with this word