Japanese word

蒸す

Pronunciation

Romajimusu

Meaning

  • verbsteam

Example

魚を蒸します。sakana o mu shi ma su

I steam the fish.

Illustration for 蒸す (steam)

More examples

蒸し器がないときは、鍋で魚を蒸します。mu shi ki ga na i to ki wa nabe de sakana o mu shi ma su

When I do not have a steamer, I steam fish in a pot.

Core concept

Refers to cooking food by surrounding it with hot vapor rather than immersing it in water or placing it directly over a flame.

Common phrases

  • 蒸し器で蒸すmu shi ki de mu su

    steam in a steamer

  • せいろで蒸すse i ro de mu su

    steam in a bamboo steamer

  • 野菜を蒸すya sai o mu su

    steam vegetables

  • 中火で蒸すchū bi de mu su

    steam over medium heat

  • 蓋をして蒸すfuta o shi te mu su

    steam with the lid on

Similar words

蒸し上げるmushiageru: To cook food thoroughly by exposing it to steam.
蒸らすmurasu: To keep food covered in residual heat and moisture so that it softens or finishes cooking.
茹でるyuderu: To cook food while it is immersed in boiling water.
煮るniru: To cook food in liquid over gentle heat until it becomes tender.

Definition in Japanese

食材を沸騰した湯の蒸気に当てて火を通す。shoku zai o fut tō shi ta yu no jō ki ni a te te hi o tō su

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 蒸す (musu) has the cooking sense "to steam," while 蒸し (mushi) is its form used in compound words for steaming and steamed food.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 蒸す (musu) can also describe muggy weather, so 今日は蒸す (kyō wa musu) means that the air feels hot and humid rather than that food is being steamed.

Related words

  • 蒸し物mushimonosteamed foodnoun
  • 蒸しmushisteamingnoun

Word lists with this word