Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun #5,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

炊事

suiji Top 5,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 炊事 en 30 secondes

Explication 炊事 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn the word 'ryōri' for cooking. However, you might see 'suiji' in very simple contexts like 'suijiba' (a place to cook) if you go to a park or a campsite in Japan. At this stage, just think of 'suiji' as a formal way to say 'cooking housework.' You don't need to use it yourself yet, but recognizing that it involves 'fire' (the first kanji) and 'rice' will help you understand that it's about making meals. It's most common in compound words like 'suijiba' (cooking area). If you see this word on a sign, it means 'Kitchen Area' for everyone to use. Remember, 'suiji' is a noun, but you can say 'suiji wo suru' to mean 'do the cooking.' For an A1 student, focus on the fact that this word is about the 'chore' of making food, especially rice, rather than the 'fun' of making a cake.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

For A2 learners, 'suiji' becomes useful when discussing daily routines and chores. You might learn it as part of a list of housework terms like 'sentaku' (laundry) and 'souji' (cleaning). At this level, you should understand that 'suiji' is more formal than 'ryōri.' You will hear it in school settings, such as when teachers talk about 'suiji ensoku' (a school trip where you cook). You might also see it in simple news stories or announcements. A key distinction at A2 is that 'suiji' implies the whole process: getting water, starting the fire (or stove), and preparing the meal. It's a 'work' word. You can use it to describe your responsibilities at home: 'Watashi no tantou wa suiji desu' (My responsibility is the cooking). It sounds more 'grown-up' and responsible than just saying 'ryōri.'

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'suiji' correctly in its domestic and formal contexts. This is the level where you distinguish between 'ryōri' (the art/hobby) and 'suiji' (the labor/duty). You should be able to discuss the division of labor in a household using this word. For example, 'Suiji wo buntan suru' (to share the cooking duties). You will encounter this word in social studies texts about Japanese life, real estate descriptions, and more complex news reports. You should also be familiar with 'suijiba' and 'suiji-dougu' (cooking utensils). B1 learners should understand that 'suiji' has a historical connection to cooking rice over a fire, which is why it's often used for outdoor or emergency cooking. It is a vital word for describing the logistical side of life in Japan.

B2 learners should have a nuanced grasp of 'suiji' as a sociological and professional term. You will see it in discussions about 'unpaid labor' (mushou roudou) and gender roles in Japan. In these contexts, 'suiji' represents a significant portion of domestic life. You should also recognize it in professional settings, such as nursing homes or dormitories, where 'suiji' refers to the systematic provision of meals to many people. At this level, you can use the word to express complex ideas, such as 'suiji no gourika' (rationalization/streamlining of cooking chores). You should also be comfortable with the difference between 'suiji,' 'jisui' (cooking for oneself), and 'chōri' (technical food preparation). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's slightly formal and clinical tone.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

For C1 learners, 'suiji' is a word with historical and literary depth. You will encounter it in classical modern literature (like Natsume Soseki or Mori Ogai) where it describes the daily rhythms of a household. You should understand how the term has evolved from its literal 'rice-cooking' origins to a broader domestic term. You might also encounter it in legal or policy documents regarding household workers or disaster management protocols ('suiji shien'). At this level, you should be able to analyze the word's usage in different registers—from the practical 'suijiba' to the abstract 'suiji' as a pillar of domesticity. You can also discuss the linguistic nuances of why 'suiji' remains a distinct term despite the prevalence of the loanword 'cooking' and the general term 'ryōri.'

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, 'suiji' is understood as part of the fundamental vocabulary of Japanese domesticity and social organization. You can use it with precision in academic writing about home economics, sociology, or history. You understand the subtle shift in meaning when the word appears in different eras—from the 'kamado' (stove) era to the modern 'all-electric' kitchen era. You can appreciate the word's appearance in idioms and formal set phrases. A C2 speaker knows that 'suiji' carries a weight of 'life support' and 'nurturing' that a purely technical term like 'chōri' lacks. You can use it to discuss the philosophy of daily life, the 'zen' of household chores, and the structural societal issues related to domestic labor. Your mastery includes knowing exactly when 'suiji' is the only word that will convey the intended sense of 'the essential labor of feeding a family.'

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

炊事 en 30 secondes

Suiji means 'cooking' but specifically focuses on the labor and chore aspect of preparing daily meals.
It is a formal noun often used in contexts like housework, camping, or professional meal services.
The word is distinct from 'ryōri' (hobby/art) and 'jisui' (cooking for oneself).
Commonly found in compounds like 'suijiba' (cooking area) and 'suiji-sentaku' (cooking and laundry).

The Japanese word 炊事 (suiji) is a noun that translates to "cooking," "meal preparation," or "culinary work." While it is often translated simply as "cooking," it carries a specific nuance that differentiates it from the more common word 料理 (ryōri). To understand 炊事, one must look at its components: 炊 (sui), which specifically refers to the act of cooking rice or boiling grains, and 事 (ji), which means matter, business, or work. Therefore, 炊事 literally means the "business of cooking rice," but it has expanded to encompass the entire labor-intensive process of preparing daily meals for a household. It is categorized as a subset of housework (家事 - kaji).

Scope of Work: Unlike 'ryōri,' which focuses on the creative or artistic output of a dish, 'suiji' emphasizes the repetitive, necessary chore of feeding a family or group. It includes washing rice, chopping vegetables, boiling water, and the overall management of the kitchen space.
Domestic Context: You will most frequently encounter this word in the context of household management, real estate listings (mentioning a 'suijiba' or cooking area), or social discussions about the division of labor between partners.
Formal Tone: It is more formal and clinical than 'ryōri.' While you might say 'I love cooking' using 'ryōri,' using 'suiji' sounds like you are discussing your household responsibilities or a professional duty.

母は毎日、家族のために炊事に追われている。(My mother is busy every day with the cooking/meal prep for the family.)

キャンプ場には共同の炊事場があります。(The campsite has a communal cooking area.)

In modern Japanese society, the term is also used in sociological research to discuss "unpaid labor" or the "burden of domestic work." When someone says they are "not good at suiji," they often mean they struggle with the logistics of meal planning, grocery management, and the actual cooking process combined. It is a vital word for B1 learners because it appears in many formal documents, textbooks about daily life, and news reports regarding household dynamics. Furthermore, the term 炊事遠足 (suiji ensoku) refers to a school trip where students cook their own meals (often curry) outdoors, a staple experience in Japanese childhood that reinforces the 'labor' aspect of the word.

災害時には、ボランティアによる炊事支援が不可欠だ。(In times of disaster, cooking support by volunteers is essential.)

彼は炊事道具を揃えるのが趣味です。(His hobby is collecting cooking utensils/gear.)

Kanji Breakdown: 炊: The left side is 'fire' (火). The right side is 'yawn' (欠), which historically represented a person breathing or steam rising. Together, they represent the heat and steam of cooking rice.
Kanji Breakdown: 事: This represents a matter, an incident, or a task. It turns the physical act of cooking into a 'task' or 'responsibility.'

独り暮らしを始めて、炊事の大変さを知った。(Starting to live alone, I learned the difficulty of meal preparation.)

Using 炊事 (suiji) correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a Suru-noun. This means you can use it as a standalone noun or add する (suru) to turn it into a verb meaning "to do the cooking" or "to prepare meals." In sentences, it often appears in contexts where cooking is a duty, a chore, or a logistical operation. It is rarely used to describe making a single snack or a quick sandwich; rather, it implies the full process of preparing a substantial meal, often involving heat and rice.

As a Direct Object: When used with 'wo suru' (炊事をする), it emphasizes the action of performing the chore. Example: 'Kyou wa chichi ga suiji wo shite kureta' (Today, my father did the cooking for us).
As a Modifier: It frequently combines with other nouns to create compounds. 'Suiji-gakari' (person in charge of cooking), 'Suiji-dōgu' (cooking tools), and 'Suiji-sentaku' (cooking and laundry—a set phrase for housework).

共働きの夫婦は、炊事を分担することが多い。(Dual-income couples often share the cooking duties.)

In formal settings, such as a job description for a dormitory manager or a nursing home staff member, 炊事 is the standard term. You won't see "ryōri" as often because "ryōri" can imply a chef-level skill, whereas "suiji" implies the consistent provision of nutrition. For B1 learners, mastering the transition from the simple "ryōri wo shimasu" to the more nuanced "suiji wo shimasu" marks a step toward sounding more like a native speaker who understands the 'labor' aspect of Japanese life.

この寮では、学生が交代で炊事を担当します。(In this dormitory, students take turns being in charge of cooking.)

Common Verb Pairings: 'Suiji ni tazuwaru' (to be involved in cooking), 'Suiji wo tasukeru' (to help with cooking), 'Suiji wo manabu' (to learn the art of meal prep).

忙しくて炊事をする暇がない。(I'm so busy I don't have time to prepare meals.)

彼女は炊事の腕を上げた。(She improved her cooking skills [domestic context].)

You will encounter 炊事 (suiji) in several specific real-world environments in Japan. While it might not be the word used in a trendy restaurant menu, it is ubiquitous in the 'backstage' of Japanese life. One of the most common places is at a 炊事場 (suijiba). This refers to a cooking facility found in public spaces. For example, if you go camping in the Japanese Alps, you won't look for a 'kitchen'; you will look for the 'suijiba'—a concrete or wooden structure with multiple sinks and hearths for communal use.

Disaster and Emergency: During news reports about earthquakes or floods, you will hear the term 'takidashi' (炊き出し), which is a form of 'suiji.' It refers to large-scale emergency meal preparation, usually involving giant pots of rice or soup for displaced people.
Educational Settings: In Japanese schools, students participate in 'kyūshoku' (school lunch), but when they go on overnight trips (rinkai gakkō or rinkan gakkō), they often engage in 'suiji.' It is framed as an educational activity to teach self-reliance.

地震の後、自衛隊が炊事車で温かい食事を提供した。(After the earthquake, the Self-Defense Forces provided warm meals using a field kitchen vehicle.)

Another place you'll hear this word is in the context of elderly care or social welfare. A home help service might include 炊事援助 (suiji enjo), which is assistance with meal preparation. In this context, it is a professionalized term for a domestic task. You will also see it in literature and historical dramas. For instance, a samurai's household might have a 炊事場 where servants work. The word evokes the sound of water running, the steam of a rice cooker, and the rhythmic chopping of a knife—the essential sounds of a home functioning.

このアパートは共同炊事場がついている。(This apartment has a communal kitchen area.)

Real Estate and Housing: While modern apartments use 'kitchen' (キッチン), older listings or shared houses might still use 'suijiba' to describe the area where food is prepared, especially if it's a basic setup.

林間学校で、自分たちで炊事をするのは楽しかった。(It was fun to do our own cooking at the forest school.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 炊事 (suiji) is using it interchangeably with 料理 (ryōri) in every situation. While their meanings overlap, their usage is quite distinct. For example, if you are inviting a friend over for a fancy dinner you spent hours perfecting, you would say "Ryōri wo tsukutta" (I made food/cuisine). Saying "Suiji wo shita" in this context would sound very strange—it would imply you are inviting them over to witness your domestic labor or that the meal is just a basic necessity of survival.

Mistake: Using 'Suiji' for Professional Chefs: You should never refer to a professional chef's work as 'suiji.' A chef practices 'ryōri' or 'chōri' (調理 - technical cooking). Calling a chef's creation 'suiji' might even be slightly insulting, as it reduces their art to a household chore.
Mistake: Confusing 'Suiji' with 'Jisu': 'Jisu' (自炊) specifically means cooking for oneself to save money or be healthy. 'Suiji' is broader and usually implies cooking for a group or a family. If you live alone, you are more likely to use 'jisu.'

❌ 趣味は炊事です。
✅ 趣味は料理です。(Cooking as a hobby is 'ryōri.')

Another nuance is the 'rice' connection. Because the kanji 炊 specifically means cooking grains/rice, using 炊事 to describe making a salad or a cold sandwich feels slightly off. It almost always implies the use of heat and the preparation of a staple food. Furthermore, avoid using the word to describe the act of "baking" cakes or cookies. Baking treats is お菓子作り (okashi-zukuri), not 炊事. Using 炊事 for a cake makes it sound like you're preparing the cake as a necessary daily meal for survival!

❌ 今日はケーキを炊事しました。
✅ 今日はケーキを焼きました。(I baked a cake today.)

Mistake: Misapplying 'Suiji-sentaku': This phrase is often used to describe all housework. However, don't use it if you only mean 'cooking.' It's a set phrase for the 'whole package' of domestic life.

❌ 彼の炊事はおいしい。
✅ 彼の作る料理はおいしい。(His cooking [the food itself] is delicious.)

To truly master 炊事 (suiji), you must be able to distinguish it from its synonyms. Each word for "cooking" in Japanese has a different 'flavor' and level of formality. Choosing the right one depends on whether you're talking about a chore, a hobby, a professional skill, or a personal habit.

料理 (Ryōri): The most general and common term. It refers to both the act of cooking and the finished dish. It has a positive, often creative connotation. Use this for hobbies and 'good food.'
自炊 (Jisui): Specifically 'cooking for oneself.' It's a key term for students and young professionals living alone. 'Jisui suru' is a common goal for those trying to save money.
調理 (Chōri): A technical and formal term for 'processing food' or 'culinary preparation.' You see this in professional licenses (Chōri-shi - Licensed Cook) or on food labels (Chōri-hō - Preparation method).
家事 (Kaji): Housework in general. 'Suiji' is one major component of 'kaji,' along with cleaning (souji) and laundry (sentaku).

一人暮らしなので、毎日自炊しています。(I live alone, so I cook for myself every day.)

When should you choose 炊事 over the others? Choose it when you want to sound objective about the work involved. For instance, in a survey about how much time people spend on chores, 炊事 is the appropriate term. In a poem about a mother's hard work, 炊事 conveys the weight of her daily effort better than the lighter 料理. Conversely, in a conversation about a new Italian restaurant, never use 炊事; always use 料理.

彼は調理師の免許を持っている。(He has a licensed cook's [technical] qualification.)

Summary Table

Word	Focus	Context
炊事	Labor/Chore	Household/Camp
料理	Taste/Art	General/Hobby
自炊	Self-reliance	Living alone
調理	Technical	Professional/Scientific

週末は料理を楽しんでいます。(I enjoy [the art of] cooking on weekends.)

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The kanji '炊' contains the 'fire' radical (火) on the left, emphasizing that traditional 'suiji' was impossible without a hearth. The right side '欠' actually looks like a person with an open mouth, representing the steam or the breath of the cook.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈsuː.i.dʒi/

US /ˈsuː.i.dʒi/

The stress is relatively flat, but in Japanese pitch accent, it is often 'Atamadaka' (High-Low-Low) in some dialects or 'Heiban' (Flat) depending on context.

Rime avec

Fuji Kuji Toji Moji Yuji Shuji Guji Roji

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it as 'su-i-shi' (mixing up ji and shi).
Merging 'sui' into one syllable like 'swi'.
Stressing the 'ji' too heavily.
Confusing the vowel length in 'sui'.
Misreading the kanji as 'shokuji' (meal).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

The kanji 炊 is not extremely common but is essential for B1. 事 is basic.

Écriture 4/5

Writing 炊 requires attention to the fire radical and the right-hand side strokes.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with no difficult clusters.

Écoute 3/5

Can be confused with 'shokuji' if not listening carefully.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

料理 (Ryōri) 作る (Tsukuru) ご飯 (Gohan) 火 (Hi) 家事 (Kaji)

Apprends ensuite

自炊 (Jisui) 献立 (Kondate) 調理 (Chōri) 炊飯器 (Suihanki) 家計 (Kakei)

Avancé

糧食 (Ryōshoku) 厨房 (Chūbō) 割烹 (Kappō) 滋養 (Jiyō)

Grammaire à connaître

Suru-verbs

炊事する (To do the cooking)

Compound Nouns (Noun + Noun)

炊事場 (Cooking + Place = Cooking area)

Purpose Particle 'ni'

炊事に行く (Go for the purpose of cooking)

Causative Form

子供に炊事をさせる (Make the child do the cooking)

Potential Form

炊事ができる (Can do the cooking)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

ここは炊事場です。

This is the cooking area.

炊事場 (suijiba) is a common compound noun.

炊事をします。

I do the cooking.

Uses the basic 'noun + shimasu' pattern.

お母さんは炊事が忙しいです。

Mother is busy with cooking.

炊事 is the subject of the busy state.

キャンプで炊事をしました。

We cooked at the camp.

Past tense of 'suiji wo suru'.

炊事道具を買いました。

I bought cooking tools.

炊事道具 is 'cooking utensils'.

炊事は大変ですか？

Is cooking (as a chore) hard?

Asking about the difficulty of the task.

炊事の練習をします。

I will practice cooking.

炊事の練習 means 'practice of meal prep'.

ここで炊事をしないでください。

Please do not cook here.

Negative request form.

毎日の炊事は私の仕事です。

Daily cooking is my job.

Focuses on 'suiji' as a routine task.

炊事と洗濯を手伝います。

I help with cooking and laundry.

Common pairing of domestic chores.

共同の炊事場はきれいです。

The communal cooking area is clean.

Adjective modifying the compound noun.

炊事の仕方を習いました。

I learned how to do the cooking.

～かた (kata) means 'way of doing'.

弟も炊事ができるようになりました。

My younger brother has become able to cook.

Potential form expressing new ability.

炊事には時間がかかります。

Cooking takes time.

Discussing the resource of time.

父は炊事が得意ではありません。

My father is not good at cooking.

Adjective 'tokui' used with the noun.

炊事車が公園に来ました。

A field kitchen truck came to the park.

炊事車 (suijisha) is a mobile kitchen.

炊事を分担して、時間を有効に使いましょう。

Let's share the cooking duties and use our time effectively.

Volitional form with the concept of 'sharing duties'.

このアパートは炊事設備が整っています。

This apartment is well-equipped with cooking facilities.

炊事設備 (suiji setsubi) refers to facilities.

忙しい日は、炊事を簡単に済ませます。

On busy days, I finish the cooking quickly/simply.

済ませる (sumaseru) means to finish or get over with.

炊事の合間に本を読みます。

I read books in between cooking tasks.

合間 (aima) means 'intervals' or 'spare moments'.

彼は炊事の腕がかなりいいです。

His cooking skills (domestic) are quite good.

腕がいい (ude ga ii) is an idiom for being skilled.

炊事に使う水を汲みに行きます。

I'm going to fetch water to use for cooking.

Purpose clause using 'ni iku'.

炊事の負担を減らすために、家電を買い替えました。

I replaced my appliances to reduce the burden of cooking.

負担 (futan) means 'burden' or 'load'.

一人暮らしの炊事は、意外と楽しいものです。

Cooking for oneself is surprisingly fun.

～ものだ (mono da) expresses a general truth or feeling.

炊事などの家事労働は、社会的に過小評価されがちだ。

Domestic labor such as cooking tends to be socially undervalued.

～がち (gachi) means 'tends to'.

被災地での炊き出しは、重要な炊事支援の一つです。

Soup kitchens in disaster areas are one of the important types of cooking support.

炊き出し (takidashi) is a specific noun for emergency meals.

炊事に費やす時間を計算してみた。

I tried calculating the time spent on cooking.

費やす (tsuiyasu) means 'to spend' or 'to consume'.

この施設では、入所者が共同で炊事を行います。

In this facility, residents perform cooking duties together.

行う (okonau) is a formal word for 'to do'.

最新の住宅は、炊事の動線を考慮して設計されている。

Latest houses are designed considering the 'flow' of cooking activities.

動線 (dousen) refers to the line of movement.

炊事の自動化が進めば、家事の負担はさらに軽くなるだろう。

If the automation of cooking progresses, the burden of housework will become even lighter.

Conditional 'ba' with future probability.

彼女は炊事全般を完璧にこなす。

She handles all aspects of cooking perfectly.

こなす (konasu) means to handle or manage well.

炊事道具の進化は、食文化の変化に大きな影響を与えた。

The evolution of cooking tools had a great influence on the changes in food culture.

影響を与える (eikyou wo ataeru) means 'to influence'.

明治時代の文学において、炊事はしばしば家庭の辛苦の象徴として描かれる。

In Meiji era literature, cooking is often depicted as a symbol of domestic hardship.

象徴 (shouchou) means 'symbol'.

炊事という日常の営みの中に、日本人の美意識が隠されている。

Within the daily activity of cooking, the Japanese sense of aesthetics is hidden.

営み (itodami) means 'activities' or 'daily life'.

近代化に伴い、炊事の形態は「竃」から「システムキッチン」へと劇的に変化した。

With modernization, the form of cooking changed dramatically from 'kamado' (stoves) to 'system kitchens'.

～に伴い (ni tomonai) means 'along with'.

炊事支援ロボットの開発は、高齢化社会における喫緊の課題である。

The development of cooking support robots is an urgent issue in an aging society.

喫緊の課題 (kikkin no kadai) means 'urgent issue'.

彼は、炊事を単なる労働ではなく、一種の修行と捉えている。

He regards cooking not as mere labor, but as a kind of (ascetic) training.

捉える (toraeru) means 'to perceive' or 'to regard'.

炊事の合理化は、女性の社会進出を支える重要な要素となった。

The rationalization of cooking became an important factor supporting women's participation in society.

合理化 (gourika) means 'rationalization'.

伝統的な炊事の技法が、ファストフードの普及によって失われつつある。

Traditional cooking techniques are being lost due to the spread of fast food.

～つつある (tsutsu aru) means 'is in the process of'.

炊事場での何気ない会話が、地域共同体の絆を深めてきた。

Casual conversations in communal cooking areas have deepened the bonds of local communities.

何気ない (nanigenai) means 'casual' or 'unintentional'.

炊事という行為の根底には、生命を維持するための神聖な儀式としての側面がある。

At the root of the act of cooking, there is an aspect as a sacred ritual for maintaining life.

根底 (kontei) means 'foundation' or 'root'.

社会構造の変容は、個人の炊事に対する価値観を根本から覆した。

The transformation of social structures has fundamentally overturned individual values regarding cooking.

覆す (kutsugaesu) means 'to overturn' or 'to subvert'.

炊事の外部化が進む現代において、家庭内での手料理の持つ意味を再考すべきである。

In the modern era where the 'externalization' of cooking is progressing, we should reconsider the meaning of home-cooked meals.

外部化 (gaibuka) means 'outsourcing' or 'externalization'.

民俗学の観点から見れば、炊事場の配置は当時の家族制度を色濃く反映している。

From a folkloric perspective, the layout of the cooking area strongly reflects the family system of the time.

色濃く反映する (irokoku han-ei suru) means 'to strongly reflect'.

炊事における「火」の制御は、人類の文明化のプロセスそのものである。

The control of 'fire' in cooking is the very process of human civilization.

～そのもの (sono mono) means 'itself'.

ジェンダー論の文脈では、炊事の無償性が長らく議論の対象となってきた。

In the context of gender theory, the unpaid nature of cooking has long been a subject of debate.

無償性 (mushousei) means 'gratis nature' or 'unpaid status'.

炊事のオートメーション化は、人間の五感を通じた食体験を希薄化させる懸念がある。

The automation of cooking carries the concern of diluting the food experience through the human five senses.

希薄化 (kihakuka) means 'dilution' or 'thinning out'.

炊事という営みが、いかにして文化的なアイデンティティを形成するかを考察する。

We will examine how the activity of cooking forms cultural identity.

いかにして (ikani shite) means 'how' or 'in what way'.

Collocations courantes

炊事をする

炊事場

炊事を分担する

炊事道具

炊事遠足

炊事車

共同炊事

炊事の腕

炊事当番

炊事に追われる

Phrases Courantes

炊事・洗濯

— The standard pairing for basic housework duties.

炊事洗濯はすべて妻に任せきりだ。

炊事の合理化

— Making cooking more efficient through technology or planning.

冷凍食品を使って炊事の合理化を図る。

炊事の手伝い

— Helping with the preparation of meals.

子供が炊事の手伝いをしてくれた。

炊事場でのマナー

— Etiquette in a shared cooking space.

キャンプの炊事場でのマナーを守る。

炊事の負担

— The physical or mental load of cooking every day.

共働き家庭では炊事の負担が課題だ。

簡易的な炊事

— Simple or basic cooking preparation.

災害時は簡易的な炊事しかできない。

炊事の合間に

— During the breaks in the cooking process.

炊事の合間にニュースをチェックする。

炊事の腕を振るう

— To show off one's cooking skills (domestic context).

久しぶりに実家で炊事の腕を振るった。

炊事環境

— The physical setup or atmosphere for cooking.

この家は炊事環境が非常に良い。

炊事をサボる

— To skip or slack off on cooking duties.

今日は疲れたので炊事をサボって外食した。

Souvent confondu avec

炊事 vs 食事 (Shokuji)

Shokuji is the meal itself or the act of eating. Suiji is the act of preparing it.

炊事 vs 自炊 (Jisui)

Jisui is cooking for yourself. Suiji is general meal prep, often for others.

炊事 vs 清掃 (Seisō)

Seisō is cleaning. While both are chores, they are distinct tasks.

Expressions idiomatiques

"炊き出しを行う"

— To set up a soup kitchen or emergency meal station.

震災直後、各地で炊き出しが行われた。

Formal

"炊事の腕を上げる"

— To improve one's skill at preparing meals.

結婚してから炊事の腕を上げた。

Neutral

"炊事に身が入らない"

— To not have one's heart in the cooking task.

悩み事があって炊事に身が入らない。

Informal

"炊事道具を揃える"

— To get all the necessary equipment for cooking.

新生活のために炊事道具を一通り揃えた。

Neutral

"炊事の暇もない"

— To be so busy one doesn't even have time to cook.

仕事が忙しすぎて炊事の暇もない。

Neutral

"炊事の手を休める"

— To take a break from the cooking work.

客が来たので、炊事の手を休めて玄関に向かった。

Neutral

"炊事場を預かる"

— To be the person in charge of the kitchen/cooking.

彼女はこの寮の炊事場を預かっている。

Formal/Literary

"炊事のいろは"

— The basics of cooking preparation.

母から炊事のいろはを教わった。

Informal

"炊事の苦労"

— The hardships associated with daily meal prep.

大家族の炊事の苦労は計り知れない。

Neutral

"炊事の腕を試す"

— To test one's cooking ability.

新しいレシピで炊事の腕を試してみる。

Neutral

Facile à confondre

炊事 vs 料理 (Ryōri)

Both mean cooking.

Ryōri is the art, the hobby, and the dish. Suiji is the labor, the chore, and the process.

趣味は料理です (Hobby is cooking). 炊事を担当する (In charge of cooking chores).

炊事 vs 調理 (Chōri)

Both are formal words for cooking.

Chōri is technical/professional (like a chef). Suiji is domestic/daily.

調理師免許 (Chef license). 炊事場 (Camp kitchen).

炊事 vs 炊飯 (Suihan)

Both start with 'sui' (cook).

Suihan is specifically just cooking rice. Suiji is the whole meal prep.

炊飯器 (Rice cooker). 炊事道具 (Cooking tools).

炊事 vs 家事 (Kaji)

Suiji is a type of Kaji.

Kaji is the umbrella term for all housework. Suiji is just the cooking part.

家事を手伝う (Help with housework). 炊事を手伝う (Help with cooking).

炊事 vs 支度 (Shitaku)

Often used as 'gohan no shitaku'.

Shitaku means preparation in general. Suiji is specifically cooking-related labor.

出かける支度 (Prep to go out). 炊事の支度 (Prep to cook).

Structures de phrases

[Person] wa suiji wo shimasu.

私は炊事をします。

[Place] ni suijiba ga arimasu.

公園に炊事場があります。

Suiji wo [Verb-te] kuremasu.

夫が炊事をしてくれます。

Suiji no [Noun].

炊事の道具。

Suiji wo buntan suru.

夫婦で炊事を分担する。

Suiji ni tsuiyasu jikan.

炊事に費やす時間。

Suiji to iu [Concept].

炊事という日常の営み。

Suiji no [Noun]ka.

炊事の外部化。

Famille de mots

Noms

自炊 (Jisui) - Cooking for oneself

炊飯 (Suihan) - Cooking rice

炊飯器 (Suihanki) - Rice cooker

炊事場 (Suijiba) - Cooking area

炊き出し (Takidashi) - Emergency meal prep

Verbes

炊く (Taku) - To cook (rice/grains)

炊き上げる (Takiageru) - To finish cooking rice

炊き込む (Takikomu) - To cook rice with other ingredients

Apparenté

家事 (Kaji) - Housework

料理 (Ryōri) - Cooking/Cuisine

献立 (Kondate) - Menu/Meal plan

台所 (Daidokoro) - Kitchen

勝手口 (Katteguchi) - Kitchen entrance

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in written Japanese, news, and specific outdoor/household contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'suiji' to mean 'I like cooking as a hobby.' → 趣味は料理です。
'Suiji' sounds like you enjoy doing chores. 'Ryōri' is the correct word for a hobby.
Calling a restaurant's food 'suiji'. → この店の料理はおいしい。
'Suiji' is for home/communal prep. Restaurant food is always 'ryōri'.
Using 'suiji' for baking cookies. → クッキーを焼く / お菓子作り。
'Suiji' implies meals/staples. Baking treats is a different category.
Confusing 'suiji' with 'shokuji'. → 炊事をする (to cook) vs 食事をする (to eat).
One is preparation, the other is the act of eating.
Using 'suiji' for a single person's quick snack. → 軽食を作る / 自炊する。
'Suiji' usually implies a more involved meal preparation process.

Astuces

Use for Chores

Always use 'suiji' when the focus is on the burden or the logistics of daily meal preparation.

Remember the Fire

The kanji 炊 has a fire radical. This reminds you that 'suiji' involves heat and cooking.

Camping Context

If you go camping in Japan, look for the '炊事場' (suijiba) sign for the kitchen area.

Suru-Verb

Remember that 'suiji' can be a verb: 'suiji suru' (to do the meal prep).

Rice Connection

The word implies a 'real' meal, usually involving the Japanese staple: rice.

Suiji vs. Ryōri

Ryōri = Tasty dish. Suiji = Working in the kitchen. Use them accordingly.

Housework Duo

Learn 'suiji-sentaku' as a single unit for 'housework basics'.

Sharing Duties

Use 'suiji no buntan' (sharing cooking duties) in discussions about modern family life.

News Reports

Listen for 'suiji' during disaster news; it refers to the essential food support given to victims.

Real Estate Ads

Check Japanese apartment listings; older ones might list a 'kyōdō suijiba' (shared kitchen).

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'SUI' as 'SUI-per' (Super) and 'JI' as 'G-ee' (Gee). 'Super Gee, you're great at cooking rice!'

Association visuelle

Imagine a traditional Japanese hearth (kamado) with steam rising from a heavy iron pot. That 'work' around the fire is 'suiji'.

Word Web

Rice Fire Housework Kitchen Labor Family Duty Meal

Défi

Try to use 'suiji' instead of 'ryōri' next time you talk about your chores. See if it feels more 'responsible'!

Origine du mot

The word comes from Middle Chinese roots. 'Sui' (炊) means to cook with fire, specifically rice. 'Ji' (事) means matters or business. It has been used in Japanese for centuries to describe the essential work of the household.

Sens originel : The act of lighting a fire to boil rice.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexte culturel

Be mindful that 'suiji' can sometimes carry a connotation of 'burden' or 'gendered labor' in modern sociological discussions.

English speakers often just say 'cooking' for everything. Japanese separates the 'art' (ryōri) from the 'chore' (suiji).

Suiji-ensoku (School cooking trips in anime like 'Non Non Biyori') Takidashi scenes in disaster movies (like 'Shin Godzilla') Traditional 'kamado' cooking in 'My Neighbor Totoro'

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Household chores

炊事を手伝う
炊事を分担する
炊事洗濯
炊事に追われる

Camping/Outdoors

炊事場はどこですか？
炊事道具を洗う
炊事遠足に行く
共同炊事

Disaster Relief

炊き出しのボランティア
炊事支援
炊事車の手配
温かい炊事

Real Estate

共同炊事場あり
炊事設備完備
広い炊事スペース
炊事場のリフォーム

Sociology/Gender Studies

無償の炊事労働
炊事の外部化
炊事の性別分業
炊事時間の短縮

Amorces de conversation

"最近、炊事は自分でしていますか？ (Have you been doing your own cooking lately?)"

"キャンプの炊事場で何を作るのが好きですか？ (What do you like to make at the campsite cooking area?)"

"ご家庭では、誰が炊事を担当していますか？ (In your home, who is in charge of the cooking?)"

"炊事道具の中で、一番お気に入りのものは何ですか？ (What is your favorite cooking tool?)"

"炊事の時間を短くするためのコツはありますか？ (Do you have any tips for shortening cooking time?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日の炊事で工夫したことについて書いてください。 (Write about something you did creatively in today's meal prep.)

将来、炊事ロボットが普及したら、あなたの生活はどう変わると思いますか？ (How do you think your life would change if cooking robots became common?)

子供の頃の炊事遠足の思い出を教えてください。 (Tell me about your memories of school cooking trips from childhood.)

あなたにとって、炊事は「楽しい趣味」ですか、それとも「大変な仕事」ですか？ (For you, is cooking a 'fun hobby' or 'hard work'?)

理想的な炊事場（キッチン）はどのようなものですか？ (What would your ideal cooking area/kitchen look like?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not really. 'Suiji' implies preparing daily meals (staples like rice and soup). For baking sweets, use 'okashi-zukuri' (making sweets) or 'yaku' (to bake). Using 'suiji' for a cake sounds like the cake is a necessary survival meal.

'Kitchen' (キッチン) is used for modern home kitchens. 'Suijiba' (炊事場) is usually used for communal, outdoor, or basic cooking areas, like at a campsite or an old dormitory.

It's moderately common, but 'ryōri' or 'gohan no shitaku' are more frequent in casual talk. Use 'suiji' when you want to sound more formal or focus on the 'work' aspect of cooking.

Etymologically, yes (the kanji 'sui' means cooking rice). In modern usage, it covers all meal prep, but it still strongly implies a 'proper' meal with heat, rather than just a salad or cold snack.

You would say 'Suiji no ude ga ii' (炊事の腕がいい). However, it's more common and natural to say 'Ryōri ga tokui desu' (料理が得意です).

Yes, it is gender-neutral. It simply refers to the task. In the context of 'sharing chores,' it's very common to talk about men doing 'suiji'.

It is a set phrase meaning 'cooking and laundry.' It's often used to represent the core responsibilities of maintaining a household.

No. A chef's work is 'ryōri' or 'chōri.' 'Suiji' is for domestic or communal labor. Calling a professional's work 'suiji' might sound like you're undervaluing their skill.

A 'suijisha' (炊事車) is a specialized vehicle, often used by the military or disaster relief teams, that contains a mobile kitchen for preparing large quantities of food.

Yes, it is typically associated with the N3 or N2 level, which corresponds to the CEFR B1/B2 level. It's an important word for understanding daily life in Japan.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes