Lunch is the midday meal, essential for daily energy and social interaction.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the meal eaten during the middle of the day.
- Commonly used in both formal and daily life contexts.
- Often interchangeable with the loanword 'lunch' in casual speech.
概要
昼食（ちゅうしょく）は、一日のうちで昼に摂る食事を指す言葉です。朝食と夕食の間に位置し、午後の活動に向けたエネルギーを補給する重要な役割があります。日本語では日常会話で「ランチ」という外来語も非常によく使われます。
類語との比較
「ランチ」はよりカジュアルで、カフェやレストランでの食事というニュアンスが強いです。「お昼（おひる）」は「お昼ごはん」の略称として非常に一般的で、家族や友人との会話で最も頻繁に使われる言葉です。「昼食」はそれらに比べて少しフォーマルな響きがあり、文書やビジネスシーンに適しています。
Examples
今日は12時に昼食をとります。
everydayI will have lunch at 12 o'clock today.
昼食会を開催いたします。
formalWe will hold a lunch meeting.
お昼ごはん、何にする？
informalWhat are you having for lunch?
昼食の摂取は午後の集中力に影響する。
academicLunch intake affects afternoon concentration.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
昼食休憩
lunch break
昼食メニュー
lunch menu
昼食代
cost of lunch
Often Confused With
Lunch is an English loanword used in casual, daily life. Chushoku is a Sino-Japanese word used in formal contexts.
Ohirugohan is the most common, friendly way to say lunch. It literally means 'daytime meal'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use 'chushoku' in formal writing, reports, or business meetings. For casual settings, 'lunch' or 'ohirugohan' are preferred. Using 'chushoku' among friends can sound robotic.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often use 'chushoku' in casual talk with friends, making them sound unnatural. Also, confusing 'chushoku' with 'yushoku' (dinner) is a common error in vocabulary tests.
Tips
Use Lunch for casual daily talk
In casual conversation, Japanese people prefer 'lunch' or 'ohirugohan'. Reserve 'chushoku' for formal writing or business settings.
Avoid using Chushoku with close friends
Using 'chushoku' with close friends can sound overly formal or stiff. It may create an unnecessary distance in your relationship.
Bento culture in Japan
Many Japanese people bring a 'bento' (boxed lunch) to work or school. It is a significant part of the midday meal culture.
Word Origin
The word is composed of 'chu' (middle/noon) and 'shoku' (meal). It is a classic Sino-Japanese compound word used for formal identification of the midday meal.
Cultural Context
Lunch in Japan is often associated with a short break from work or school. The 'bento' tradition is a key cultural aspect of the Japanese midday meal.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Chu' (middle) + 'Shoku' (meal). It is the meal in the middle of the day!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions日常会話や友人との間では「ランチ」や「お昼ごはん」が自然です。ビジネスメールや公的な文書では「昼食」を使うのが適切です。
一般的には12時頃から13時頃を指すことが多いです。学校や会社ではこの時間帯が「昼休み」として設定されています。
はい、丁寧でフォーマルな表現です。ビジネスの場や目上の人に対して使うのに適しています。
「お昼」は食事だけでなく時間帯そのものも指しますが、「昼食」は食事のみを指します。文脈によって使い分けが必要です。
Test Yourself
今日は同僚とレストランで___をとりました。
昼の時間帯に食べる食事なので「昼食」が正解です。
ビジネス会議の際、昼の時間に食事をすることを何と言いますか？
昼の食事を伴う会合は「昼食会」と呼びます。
（1. 昼食 2. 私は 3. とった 4. 12時に）
「私は12時に昼食をとった」が自然な語順です。
Score: /3
Summary
Lunch is the midday meal, essential for daily energy and social interaction.
- Refers to the meal eaten during the middle of the day.
- Commonly used in both formal and daily life contexts.
- Often interchangeable with the loanword 'lunch' in casual speech.
Use Lunch for casual daily talk
In casual conversation, Japanese people prefer 'lunch' or 'ohirugohan'. Reserve 'chushoku' for formal writing or business settings.
Avoid using Chushoku with close friends
Using 'chushoku' with close friends can sound overly formal or stiff. It may create an unnecessary distance in your relationship.
Bento culture in Japan
Many Japanese people bring a 'bento' (boxed lunch) to work or school. It is a significant part of the midday meal culture.
Examples
4 of 4今日は12時に昼食をとります。
I will have lunch at 12 o'clock today.
昼食会を開催いたします。
We will hold a lunch meeting.
お昼ごはん、何にする？
What are you having for lunch?
昼食の摂取は午後の集中力に影響する。
Lunch intake affects afternoon concentration.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More food words
〜ほど
B1About; approximately; degree.
~ほど
B1About, approximately; to the extent of ~.
豊富な
B1Abundant, rich in.
ふんだんに
B1Lavishly; abundantly; generously (e.g., using ingredients).
足す
B1To add (e.g., to a sum, to ingredients).
添加物
B1Additive.
〜てから
B1After doing ~.
~てから
B1After doing (an action).
熟成させる
B1To age; to mature (food).
熟成した
B1Aged; matured.
