Japanese word

食べ物

Pronunciation

Romajitabemono

Meaning

  • nounfood

Example

好きな食べ物は何ですか？su ki na ta be mono wa nan de su ka

What food do you like?

Illustration for 食べ物 (food)

More examples

これは私の好きな食べ物です。ko re wa watashi no su ki na ta be mono de su

This is my favorite food.

健康のために、食べ物を選びます。ken kō no ta me ni ta be mono o era bi ma su

I choose my food for my health.

Core concept

Refers to something that can be eaten as nourishment, including ingredients and prepared dishes.

Common phrases

  • 食べ物を買うta be mono o ka u

    buy food

  • 食べ物を作るta be mono o tsuku ru

    make food

  • 食べ物を選ぶta be mono o era bu

    choose food

Similar words

食材shokuzai: A material used to prepare a meal or dish.
料理ryōri: A prepared dish made by cooking or combining ingredients.
食品shokuhin: Food made or sold for people to eat, including packaged products.

Definition in Japanese

人や動物が口にして栄養を取るための物。hito ya dō butsu ga kuchi ni shi te ei yō o to ru ta me no mono

Word origin

食べ物 (tabemono) combines 食べる (taberu, "to eat") in its stem form 食べ (tabe) with 物 (mono, "thing"), meaning a thing to eat.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 食べ物 (tabemono) includes both ingredients and prepared dishes, while 飲み物 (nomimono) refers to drinks.

Word lists with this word