Japanese word

食べる

Pronunciation

Romajitaberu

Meaning

  • verbeat

Example

朝ご飯を食べます。asa go han o ta be ma su

I eat breakfast.

Illustration for 食べる (eat)

More examples

りんごを食べます。ri n go o ta be ma su

I eat an apple.

家族と夕食を食べます。ka zoku to yū shoku o ta be ma su

I eat dinner with my family.

Core concept

Centers on consuming food as a meal or as a source of nourishment.

Common phrases

  • ご飯を食べるgo han o ta be ru

    eat a meal

  • 一緒に食べるis sho ni ta be ru

    eat together

  • 外で食べるsoto de ta be ru

    eat out

Similar words

召し上がるmeshiagaru: To eat or drink, using a respectful form for another person.
いただくitadaku: To eat or drink in a humble way, often in formal speech.
食うkū: To eat in a rough or very casual style.

Definition in Japanese

食事や食品を口に入れ、かんで飲み込む。shoku ji ya shoku hin o kuchi ni i re ka n de no mi ko mu

Word origin

The native verb 食べる (taberu) comes from the older form 食ぶ (tabu), which was used with the meaning "to eat" in earlier Japanese.

Usage tips

  • Japanese uses 食べる (taberu) for eating food, while 飲む (nomu) is normally used for drinking beverages.

Other meanings

  • haveverb

Related words

  • 食べ方tabekataway of eatingnoun
  • 食べ過ぎtabesugiovereatingnoun

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