Japanese word

炒める

Pronunciation

Romajiitameru

Meaning

  • verbfry

Example

私は野菜を炒めます。watashi wa ya sai o ita me ma su

I fry vegetables.

Illustration for 炒める (fry)

More examples

ご飯を炒めて、しょうゆで味をつけます。go han o ita me te shō yu de aji o tsu ke ma su

I fry rice and season it with soy sauce.

Core concept

Refers to cooking ingredients in a pan with a small amount of oil until they are heated through, often while being moved.

Common phrases

  • ご飯を炒めるgo han o ita me ru

    fry rice

  • 玉ねぎを炒めるtama ne gi o ita me ru

    fry onions

  • さっと炒めるsa tto ita me ru

    fry quickly

Similar words

揚げるageru: To cook food in hot oil deep enough to surround it.
焼くyaku: To cook food by applying heat directly, in an oven, or on a heated surface.
炒るiru: To heat dry beans, seeds, or similar ingredients in a pan without adding much or any oil.

Definition in Japanese

材料を少量の油で加熱し、かき混ぜたり返したりしながら火を通すこと。zai ryō o shō ryō no abura de ka netsu shi ka ki ma ze ta ri kae shi ta ri shi na ga ra hi o tō su ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 炒める (itameru, "to stir-fry") is related to 炒る (iru, "to roast or parch"), linking it to cooking ingredients with dry heat and a little oil.

Usage tips

  • In English, fry can mean cooking in a large amount of oil, while Japanese 炒める (itameru) usually involves only a little oil in a pan.

Other meanings

  • sauteverb
  • stir-fryverb

Related words

  • 炒め物itamemonostir-fried dishnoun
  • 炒め方itamekataway of fryingnoun

Word lists with this word