A2 noun Neutral #4,000 most common 1 min read

豆腐

toufu /toːɸɯ/
Practice it

Tofu is a versatile, protein-rich soybean product essential to Japanese culinary culture.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • A soft, white food made from soybean curds.
  • A staple ingredient in Japanese cuisine.
  • Known for being healthy and versatile.

使用パターン

豆腐は調理法によって「冷奴（そのまま食べる）」「湯豆腐（温めて食べる）」「味噌汁の具」「麻婆豆腐（中華風）」など、多岐にわたる料理に使用されます。また、食感の違いによって「絹ごし豆腐（滑らか）」と「木綿豆腐（しっかり）」の2種類が主に使い分けられます。

Examples

1

冷奴にネギを乗せて食べるのが好きです。

everyday

I like eating chilled tofu topped with green onions.

2

豆腐はタンパク質が豊富な食材です。

formal

Tofu is a food rich in protein.

Common Collocations

豆腐を食べる to eat tofu
豆腐を切る to cut tofu

Common Phrases

豆腐の角に頭をぶつけて死ぬ

To die by hitting one's head on the corner of a tofu block (an idiom for something impossible/absurd).

Often Confused With

豆腐 vs 豆乳 (Soy milk)

Soy milk is the liquid extract of soybeans, while tofu is the solidified curd form.

Grammar Patterns

豆腐の味噌汁 豆腐を食べる

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Tofu is a neutral noun used in all registers. It is widely understood and used in both casual and formal dining contexts. No special honorifics are required when referring to it.

Common Mistakes

Beginners sometimes confuse the names of different tofu types. Remember that 'Kinu' means silk and 'Momen' means cotton, reflecting their textures. Ensure you don't confuse it with soy milk.

Tips

💡

Choosing the right tofu texture

Choose silken tofu for soups or smoothies, and firm tofu for stir-fries or grilling.

⚠️

Check the expiration date

Tofu spoils quickly. Always check the date on the package and smell it before use.

🌍

Tofu as a global health food

Tofu is now recognized worldwide as a healthy, plant-based protein source. It is a staple for many vegetarian and vegan diets.

Word Origin

The word 'tofu' comes from the Chinese 'doufu'. It was introduced to Japan during the Nara period and evolved into the staple we know today.

Cultural Context

Tofu is deeply rooted in Japanese Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (Shojin Ryori). It symbolizes simplicity and purity in Japanese food culture.

Memory Tip

Think of 'to-fu' as 'toe-food', a soft food that is good from head to toe. It helps to visualize a white cube of tofu.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

絹ごし豆腐は滑らかな食感でそのまま食べるのに適しており、木綿豆腐はしっかりとした食感で煮込み料理などに適しています。

開封後は水に浸して冷蔵庫に入れ、なるべく早めに食べ切るのが理想的です。

はい、良質なタンパク質やカルシウムが豊富で、低カロリーなため非常に健康的な食材です。

豆腐を冷やした状態で、醤油や薬味をかけて食べるシンプルな料理のことです。

Test Yourself

fill blank

今日の夕食は___の味噌汁を作ります。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 豆腐

味噌汁の具として最も一般的なのは豆腐です。

Score: /1

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

두부 Korean 豆腐 Chinese
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!