Okazu refers to any dish served alongside rice to make the meal complete.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A side dish eaten alongside rice.
- Used to describe main and side dishes in a meal.
- Essential vocabulary for daily Japanese dining.
Overview
- 1概要：「おかず」とは、主食（主に白米）に添えて食べる料理の総称です。日本語の「御数（おかず）」という言葉には、ご飯を美味しく食べるために必要な「数（かず）」を添えるという意味が込められています。2) 使用パターン：日常会話で非常に頻繁に使われます。「今日のおかずは何？」や「おかずを作る」といった形で、家庭料理の文脈で使われることが一般的です。また、弁当の中身を指す際にも使われます。3) 一般的な文脈：家庭の食卓、食堂、弁当屋など、食事の場面全般で使われます。肉料理、魚料理、野菜の煮物など、ご飯に合うものであれば何でも「おかず」と呼ぶことができます。4) 類似語との比較：「副菜（ふくさい）」は栄養バランスを考慮した献立上の分類として使われることが多く、「おかず」よりも少し硬い表現です。「惣菜（そうざい）」は、スーパーなどで売られている調理済みの食品を指すことが多く、家庭で作る料理を指す「おかず」とはニュアンスが異なります。
Examples
今日のおかずは何ですか？
everydayWhat is the side dish today?
バランスの良いおかずを心がけています。
formalI try to make well-balanced side dishes.
これ、ご飯のおかずになるね。
informalThis goes well with rice.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
ご飯が進むおかず
a dish that makes you eat more rice
おかずを一品足す
add one more side dish
Often Confused With
Souzai often refers to pre-made dishes bought at a store, whereas okazu is a general term for any side dish.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Okazu is a very casual and friendly term. It is used in almost every household. While it can be used in semi-formal settings, avoid using it in very high-end or official culinary descriptions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often think okazu must be vegetables, but it includes meat and fish. Some learners also confuse it with the main dish, but it covers both. Remember that it is specifically for rice-based meals.
Tips
Use Okazu for any rice accompaniment
Don't worry about whether it is meat or vegetables. If it goes with rice, it is okazu.
Not for drinks or desserts
Okazu strictly refers to savory foods meant to be eaten with rice. Never use it for sweets or beverages.
The importance of rice
In Japan, rice is the center of the meal. Okazu exists to support the rice, reflecting the importance of grains in Japanese culture.
Word Origin
Derived from the word 'kazu' meaning number. It historically referred to the number of dishes served with rice to make the meal satisfying.
Cultural Context
The concept of okazu is central to the Japanese 'ichiju-sansai' (one soup, three dishes) philosophy. It emphasizes diversity in a meal to ensure nutritional balance while eating rice.
Memory Tip
Think of 'O-Kazu' as 'O-Count' of extra dishes to make the rice count. It's the extra flavor added to your bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions主菜はメインの料理を指しますが、おかずはメインか副菜かを問わず、ご飯と一緒に食べるものすべてを指します。日常会話では、メイン料理も含めて「今日のおかず」と言うのが一般的です。
いいえ、通常お味噌汁は「汁物」として分類されます。おかずは固形物であることが多いです。
一品は料理の品数を数える単位として使われることが多いです。おかずは料理の種類や役割を指す言葉です。
はい、古い表現ですが「お菜」と言うこともあります。しかし、現代の日常会話では「おかず」の方が圧倒的に使われます。
Test Yourself
今日の夕食の___は、ハンバーグです。
ハンバーグはご飯と一緒に食べる料理なので、おかずが適切です。
Score: /1
Summary
Okazu refers to any dish served alongside rice to make the meal complete.
- A side dish eaten alongside rice.
- Used to describe main and side dishes in a meal.
- Essential vocabulary for daily Japanese dining.
Use Okazu for any rice accompaniment
Don't worry about whether it is meat or vegetables. If it goes with rice, it is okazu.
Not for drinks or desserts
Okazu strictly refers to savory foods meant to be eaten with rice. Never use it for sweets or beverages.
The importance of rice
In Japan, rice is the center of the meal. Okazu exists to support the rice, reflecting the importance of grains in Japanese culture.
Examples
3 of 3今日のおかずは何ですか？
What is the side dish today?
バランスの良いおかずを心がけています。
I try to make well-balanced side dishes.
これ、ご飯のおかずになるね。
This goes well with rice.
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.
