En 15 secondes
- Eat decisively without picking at food.
- Used to encourage shy or picky eaters.
- Focuses on the clarity of the action.
Signification
To eat in a clear, decisive way that leaves no doubt about your appetite or preferences. It is the opposite of picking at your food or being vague about whether you are actually eating.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6A mother talking to her picky child
好き嫌いしないで、はっきり食べなさい！
Don't be picky, eat clearly and properly!
Encouraging a shy friend at a dinner party
遠慮しないで、はっきり食べていいよ。
Don't hold back, it's okay to eat decisively.
A doctor giving advice on eating habits
健康のために、はっきり食べることが大切です。
For your health, it is important to eat clearly and regularly.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Enryo' (restraint) often makes people hesitate to take the last piece of food or eat heartily. 'Hakkiri taberu' is the positive antidote to this. Mothers often use this phrase to describe their children's growth. A child who eats 'hakkiri' is seen as healthy and easy to raise. In business, eating 'hakkiri' during a lunch meeting can signal that you are a person of action and clarity. Traditional etiquette books might emphasize 'shizuka ni' (quietly), but modern social etiquette values the 'hakkiri' manner as a sign of sincerity.
Complimenting the Cook
If you want to make a Japanese host happy, use this phrase to describe how much you are enjoying their food.
Not for Messy Eating
Don't use this if someone is eating like a slob. It's a positive phrase for clear, decisive actions, not a lack of manners.
En 15 secondes
- Eat decisively without picking at food.
- Used to encourage shy or picky eaters.
- Focuses on the clarity of the action.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a dinner table. You are moving food around with your chopsticks. You aren't really taking bites. Someone might tell you to はっきり食べる. It means to eat in a way that is obvious. It is about removing the 'maybe' from your meal. You aren't just snacking; you are making it clear you are eating.
How To Use It
You use はっきり as an adverb. It describes the way you are eating. You can use it as a command with 食べなさい. Or use it as a simple description. It is a great way to tell someone to stop being vague. Just add はっきり before the verb 食べる. It sounds very direct and honest.
When To Use It
This is perfect for parents talking to picky kids. It is also useful when someone is shy about eating. If you are at a buffet, tell your hesitant friend to はっきり食べる. It encourages them to just go for it! Use it when you want to see someone enjoy their meal fully. It shows you want them to be satisfied.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal settings like a tea ceremony. There, eating is supposed to be subtle and quiet. Saying はっきり食べる there might sound aggressive. Also, do not use it if someone is actually sick. It might sound a bit insensitive to their stomach. Stick to casual or semi-formal situations with friends.
Cultural Background
In Japan, how you eat shows respect for the cook. Being はっきり (clear) shows you are engaged. Ambiguity can sometimes be seen as a lack of appreciation. While Japanese culture is often indirect, the table is different. Eating well is a clear sign of health and happiness. It shows you are not holding back out of false politeness.
Common Variations
You might hear はっきりした食べ方 (a clear way of eating). Another common one is はっきり食べよう, which is an invitation. Sometimes people mix it up with しっかり食べる. That phrase means eating a full, solid meal. Both are great, but はっきり focuses on the clarity of the action.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral but leans toward informal. It is most often used in instructional or encouraging contexts, particularly within families or close friendships.
Complimenting the Cook
If you want to make a Japanese host happy, use this phrase to describe how much you are enjoying their food.
Not for Messy Eating
Don't use this if someone is eating like a slob. It's a positive phrase for clear, decisive actions, not a lack of manners.
The 'Enryo' Breaker
Use 'hakkiri taberu' to break the ice at a dinner party where everyone is being too polite to eat.
Exemples
6好き嫌いしないで、はっきり食べなさい！
Don't be picky, eat clearly and properly!
The mother wants the child to stop hesitating and just eat.
遠慮しないで、はっきり食べていいよ。
Don't hold back, it's okay to eat decisively.
Using the phrase to tell someone to stop being shy.
健康のために、はっきり食べることが大切です。
For your health, it is important to eat clearly and regularly.
Here, it implies having a clear, non-vague eating schedule.
今日は食べ放題だから、はっきり食べるぞ！
It's all-you-can-eat today, so I'm going to eat decisively!
Shows excitement and intent to eat a lot without hesitation.
彼はいつもはっきり食べるから見ていて気持ちがいい。
He always eats so decisively; it's refreshing to watch.
A compliment about someone's straightforward eating style.
はっきり食べる姿を見て、おばあちゃんは嬉しいよ。
Seeing you eat so clearly makes Grandma happy.
Expressing relief and joy that the child has a good appetite.
Teste-toi
Choose the most natural phrase to compliment a friend who is enjoying the meal you cooked.
{田中|たなか}さん、＿＿＿＿＿ね。{作|つく}ったかいがありました！
'Hakkiri taberu' is the only one that refers to eating manner.
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb to show the child is eating decisively.
{子供|こども}が（ ）{食|た}べるのを{見|み}て、お{母|かあ}さんは{安心|あんしん}しました。
'Hakkiri' describes the decisive, healthy eating manner.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say 'はっきり{食|た}べてください'?
It encourages them to be decisive and enjoy the meal.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Hakkiri vs. Shikkari
Banque d exercices
3 exercices{田中|たなか}さん、＿＿＿＿＿ね。{作|つく}ったかいがありました！
'Hakkiri taberu' is the only one that refers to eating manner.
{子供|こども}が（ ）{食|た}べるのを{見|み}て、お{母|かあ}さんは{安心|あんしん}しました。
'Hakkiri' describes the decisive, healthy eating manner.
When would you say 'はっきり{食|た}べてください'?
It encourages them to be decisive and enjoy the meal.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or in polite conversation, but in very formal situations, use 'meshiagaru' with an adverb like 'oishisō ni'.
Not usually. For drinking, we use 'oishisō ni nomu' or 'goku goku nomu'. 'Hakkiri' is specific to the act of eating food.
The opposite would be 'chiisaku taberu' (eating small/timidly) or 'choko choko taberu' (picking at food).
Expressions liées
{気持|きも}ちよく{食|た}べる
synonymTo eat in a way that is pleasant to watch.
しっかり{食|た}べる
similarTo eat properly/sufficiently.
{遠慮|えんりょ}なく{食|た}べる
similarTo eat without holding back.
{食|た}べっぷりがいい
builds onTo have a good way of eating.
