Japanese word

食事

Pronunciation

Romajishokuji

Meaning

  • nounmeal

Example

家族と食事をします。ka zoku to shoku ji o shi ma su

I have a meal with my family.

Illustration for 食事 (meal)

More examples

食事の前に手を洗います。shoku ji no mae ni te o ara i ma su

I wash my hands before a meal.

Core concept

Describes one complete occasion of eating and the food prepared for it.

Common phrases

  • 食事をするshoku ji o su ru

    have a meal

  • 食事の前shoku ji no mae

    before a meal

Similar words

ご飯gohan: Food served and eaten as a meal, with the word also referring to the meal itself.
飯meshi: A rough casual term for a meal or the food eaten during one.

Definition in Japanese

人が食べ物を食べること。また、そのために用意した食べ物。hito ga ta be mono o ta be ru ko to ma ta so no ta me ni yō i shi ta ta be mono

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 食事 (shokuji) combines 食 (shoku, "to eat") with 事 (ji, "matter"), linking food with an eating occasion.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 食事に行く (shokuji ni iku) means going out for a meal and is common when making plans.

Related words

  • 食事するshokujisuruhave a mealverb

Word lists with this word