偏食 refers to a picky or unbalanced diet that may lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Eating only specific foods or avoiding certain ingredients.
- Often used to describe unhealthy eating habits in children.
- Implies an unbalanced nutritional intake.
Overview
- 1概要：偏食は、栄養バランスを考えずに自分の好きなものばかりを食べたり、特定の食材を極端に嫌って食べなかったりすることを指します。健康維持に必要な栄養素が不足するリスクがあるため、しばしば改善すべき習慣として扱われます。
一般的な文脈：家庭での食事風景や、学校給食の指導、健康診断の問診などでよく使われる言葉です。「子供が野菜を食べない」といった悩みに対して「偏食」という言葉が使われます。
- 1類語との比較：「好き嫌い」という言葉は、より日常的で主観的な好みを指しますが、「偏食」は栄養バランスの観点から問題視されるニュアンスが強くなります。「食わず嫌い」は、食べたことがないのに嫌うことを指しますが、偏食は食べた上で避ける場合も含まれます。
Examples
子供の偏食に悩んでいます。
everydayI am worried about my child's picky eating.
偏食を改善するためには、食事の環境を見直すことが重要です。
formalTo improve an unbalanced diet, it is important to review the dining environment.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
偏食をなくす
To eliminate picky eating habits
Often Confused With
Refers to general personal preferences. It is less clinical than '偏食'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
偏食 is a neutral, descriptive term. It is used in both casual conversation and formal health contexts. Avoid using it to tease someone, as it can sound critical.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse it with '偏見' (prejudice). Remember that '偏食' specifically relates to food ('食').
Tips
Use with the verb 'naosu'
When talking about fixing picky eating, use the phrase '偏食を直す'. This is the most common collocation for addressing the habit.
Don't use for medical conditions
While '偏食' refers to eating habits, do not use it to describe medical eating disorders like anorexia. Use '摂食障害' for those conditions.
The importance of balance
In Japan, balanced meals (e.g., 'ichiju-sansai') are highly valued. Therefore, '偏食' is often viewed as something that should be corrected for long-term health.
Word Origin
Derived from the kanji 偏 (biased/leaning) and 食 (eating). It literally describes a diet that leans toward only certain types of food.
Cultural Context
Japanese culture emphasizes nutritional balance. Being a picky eater is often seen as a habit that parents should help children overcome through education.
Memory Tip
Think of '偏' (leaning/biased) + '食' (eating). A 'leaning diet' = picky eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions単なる好みの問題であることがほとんどですが、極端な場合は栄養障害を引き起こすこともあります。日常生活に支障が出るレベルであれば、医師や専門家に相談することが推奨されます。
「好き嫌い」は個人の嗜好を指す一般的な言葉です。一方、「偏食」は栄養バランスが偏っているという客観的な状態を強調する際に使われます。
少しずつ苦手な食材に慣れる工夫や、調理方法を変えるなどのアプローチが有効です。無理強いせず、楽しい食事の時間を心がけることが大切です。
Test Yourself
うちの息子は___がひどく、野菜を全く食べようとしません。
文脈的に、食べ物の好みが偏っていることを指す言葉が必要です。
Score: /1
Summary
偏食 refers to a picky or unbalanced diet that may lead to nutritional deficiencies.
- Eating only specific foods or avoiding certain ingredients.
- Often used to describe unhealthy eating habits in children.
- Implies an unbalanced nutritional intake.
Use with the verb 'naosu'
When talking about fixing picky eating, use the phrase '偏食を直す'. This is the most common collocation for addressing the habit.
Don't use for medical conditions
While '偏食' refers to eating habits, do not use it to describe medical eating disorders like anorexia. Use '摂食障害' for those conditions.
The importance of balance
In Japan, balanced meals (e.g., 'ichiju-sansai') are highly valued. Therefore, '偏食' is often viewed as something that should be corrected for long-term health.
Examples
2 of 2子供の偏食に悩んでいます。
I am worried about my child's picky eating.
偏食を改善するためには、食事の環境を見直すことが重要です。
To improve an unbalanced diet, it is important to review the dining environment.
Related Content
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.
