Japanese word

昼ご飯

Pronunciation

Romajihirugohan

Meaning

  • nounlunch

Example

毎日昼ご飯を食べます。mai nichi hiru go han o ta be ma su

I eat lunch every day.

Illustration for 昼ご飯 (lunch)

More examples

昼ご飯は何にしますか？hiru go han wa nan ni shi ma su ka

What will you have for lunch?

Core concept

It identifies the meal eaten around the middle of the day, regardless of whether it is eaten at home, at school, or elsewhere.

Common phrases

  • 昼ご飯を作るhiru go han o tsuku ru

    prepare lunch

  • 昼ご飯を食べるhiru go han o ta be ru

    eat lunch

Similar words

昼食chūshoku: A formal term for the meal eaten around the middle of the day.
ランチranchi: A casual term for the meal eaten around the middle of the day.
昼飯hirumeshi: An informal term for the meal eaten around the middle of the day.

Definition in Japanese

昼に食べる食事。hiru ni ta be ru shoku ji

Word origin

The compound combines 昼 (hiru, "daytime") and ご飯 (gohan, "cooked rice or meal"), giving the meaning "the daytime meal."

Usage tips

  • 昼ご飯 (hirugohan) can refer to a packed meal, a school meal, or a restaurant meal, so it names the meal occasion rather than a particular dish.

Word lists with this word