Lesson 12: Food Description

Describing food impressions, giving and receiving food, discussing dishes

This lesson focuses on describing food based on appearance, expressing impressions after tasting, and discussing dishes. Students learn to comment on how food looks, give feedback after trying it, describe ingredients and flavors, and understand cooking instructions. Cultural elements include Japanese bento culture and various traditional dishes.

Key topics:

・Describing food impressions based on appearance
・Expressing thoughts after tasting food
・Offering and receiving food politely
・Describing ingredients and cooking methods
・Reading and following cooking instructions
・Japanese food culture (bento, tamago-yaki, okonomiyaki)

Vocabulary

とれる

toreru

to pick

Example

みかんをとります。

Mikan o torimasu.

I pick oranges.

いれる

ireru

to put in

Example

スープにきのこをいれます。

Sūpu ni kinoko o iremasu.

I put mushrooms in the soup.

とりだす

toridasu

取り出す

to take out

Example

ぎんなんを取り出します。

Ginnan o toridashimasu.

I take out gingko nuts.

そそぐ

sosogu

to pour

Example

おゆをそそぎます。

Oyu o sosogimasu.

I pour hot water.

すてる

suteru

to discard

Example

ゆでじるをすてます。

Yudejiru o sutemasu.

I discard the boiling liquid.

かける

kakeru

to sprinkle

Example

ふりかけをかけます。

Furikake o kakemasu.

I sprinkle the topping.

まぜる

mazeru

to mix

Example

よくまぜます。

Yoku mazemasu.

I mix well.

はがす

hagasu

to remove

Example

フィルムをはがします。

Firumu o hagashimasu.

I remove the film.

あける

akeru

to empty into / onto

Example

かやくをあけます。

Kayaku o akemasu.

I empty the condiments.

あまい

amai

sweet

Example

プリンはあまいです。

Purin wa amai desu.

Pudding is sweet.

からい

karai

spicy / hot

Example

からしはからいです。

Karashi wa karai desu.

Mustard is spicy.

すっぱい

suppai

sour

Example

レモンはすっぱいです。

Remon wa suppai desu.

Lemons are sour.

しょっぱい

shoppai

salty

Example

しおはしょっぱいです。

Shio wa shoppai desu.

Salt is salty.

にがい

nigai

bitter

Example

このくすりはにがいです。

Kono kusuri wa nigai desu.

This medicine is bitter.

こい

koi

濃い

strong (e.g., strong flavor)

Example

このおちゃは濃いです。

Kono ocha wa koi desu.

This tea is strong.

うすい

usui

薄い

weak (e.g., weak flavor)

Example

このスープは薄いです。

Kono sūpu wa usui desu.

This soup is weak.

まずい

mazui

tastes bad

Example

このさかなはまずいです。

Kono sakana wa mazui desu.

This fish tastes bad.

おなかがいっぱい（な）

onaka ga ippai (na)

お腹がいっぱい（な）

full

Example

お腹がいっぱい（な）です。

Onaka ga ippai desu.

I'm full.

にがて（な）

nigate (na)

苦手（な）

dislike

Example

わたしはやさいが苦手です。

Watashi wa yasai ga nigate desu.

I dislike vegetables.

あじ

aji

味

taste / flavor

Example

いい味です。

Ii aji desu.

It has a good taste.

おべんとう

obentō

お弁当

obento (lunch box)

Example

お弁当をつくります。

Obentō o tsukurimasu.

I make a lunch box.

みかん

mikan

orange

Example

みかんがすきです。

Mikan ga suki desu.

I like oranges.

にわ

niwa

庭

garden

Example

わたしの庭です。

Watashi no niwa desu.

It's my garden.

たまごやき

tamagoyaki

卵焼き

tamago-yaki (rolled omelet)

Example

卵焼きをつくります。

Tamagoyaki o tsukurimasu.

I make rolled omelet.

おこのみやき

okonomiyaki

お好み焼き

okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pancake)

Example

お好み焼きをたべます。

Okonomiyaki o tabemasu.

I eat okonomiyaki.

うめぼし

umeboshi

梅干し

umeboshi (pickled plum)

Example

梅干しがあります。

Umeboshi ga arimasu.

There are pickled plums.

すきやき

sukiyaki

すき焼き

sukiyaki (Japanese beef hot pot)

Example

すき焼きをつくります。

Sukiyaki o tsukurimasu.

I make sukiyaki.

なま

nama

生

raw

Example

生のやさいです。

Nama no yasai desu.

It's raw vegetables.

もうひとつ

mō hitotsu

another one

Example

プリンもうひとつ下さい。

Purin mō hitotsu kudasai.

Another pudding, please.

ちゃわんむし

chawanmushi

茶碗蒸し

steamed egg custard

Example

茶碗蒸しがすきです。

Chawanmushi ga suki desu.

I like steamed egg custard.

プリン

puri

pudding

Example

プリンをたべます。

Purin o tabemasu.

I eat pudding.

だし

dashi

dashi (Japanese soup stock)

Example

だしをつかいます。

Dashi o tsukaimasu.

I use dashi.

スープ

sūpu

soup

Example

スープをのみます。

Sūpu o nomimasu.

I drink soup.

きのこ

kinoko

mushroom

Example

きのこをきります。

Kinoko o kirimasu.

I cut mushrooms.

ぎんなん

ginnan

銀杏

gingko nuts

Example

銀杏があります。

Ginnan ga arimasu.

There are gingko nuts.

いいにおい

ii nioi

いい匂い

smells good

Example

いい匂いがします。

Ii nioi ga shimasu.

It smells good.

ちょうりほうほう

chōri hōhō

調理方法

cooking instructions

Example

調理方法をよみます。

Chōri hōhō o yomimasu.

I read the cooking instructions.

フタ

futa

lid

Example

フタをしめます。

Futa o shimemasu.

I close the lid.

めん

men

麺

noodles

Example

麺をゆでます。

Men o yudemasu.

I boil noodles.

ねっとう

nettō

熱湯

boiling water

Example

熱湯にきをつけます。

Nettō ni ki o tsukemasu.

I am careful with boiling water.

おゆ

oyu

お湯

hot water

Example

お湯をわかします。

Oyu o wakashimasu.

I boil hot water.

かやく

kayaku

かやく

condiment

Example

かやくをいれます。

Kayaku o iremasu.

I put in condiments.

ふりかけ

furikake

dried topping

Example

ふりかけをつかいます。

Furikake o tsukaimasu.

I use dried topping.

うちがわ

uchigawa

内側

on the inside

Example

フタの内側です。

Futa no uchigawa desu.

It's the inside of the lid.

せん

sen

線

line

Example

この線までです。

Kono sen made desu.

Up to this line.

ゆきりぐち

yukiriguchi

湯切り口

drainage opening

Example

湯切り口があります。

Yukiriguchi ga arimasu.

There is a drainage opening.

できあがり

dekiagari

finished

Example

ラーメンできあがりです。

Rāmen dekiagari desu.

The ramen is finished.

そんなことない

sonna koto nai

Actually, it isn't.

Example

そんなことないですよ。

Sonna koto nai desu yo.

Actually, it isn't.

どんどん

dondon

Example

どんどんたべます。

Dondon tabemasu.

I eat more and more.

まあ

mā

well…

Example

まあ、いいですよ。

Mā, ii desu yo.

Well, it's okay.

フタをする

futa o suru

to put the lid on

Example

フタをします。

Futa o shimasu.

I put the lid on.

Conversation

～そうですね

~sō desu ne

It looks ~, doesn't it?

Example Usage

そのお弁当、おいしそうですね。

Sono obentō, oishisō desu ne.

That bento looks delicious.

よかったら、～てみて下さい

Yokattara, ~te mite kudasai

If you'd like, please try ~ing

Example Usage

よかったら、この卵焼き、食べてみて下さい。

Yokattara, kono tamagoyaki, tabete mite kudasai.

If you'd like, please try this rolled omelet.

これは何ですか？

Kore wa nan desu ka?

What is this?

Example Usage

すみません、この茶碗蒸しは何ですか？

Sumimasen, kono chawanmushi wa nan desu ka?

Excuse me, what is this chawanmushi?

中に何が入ってますか？

Naka ni nani ga haitte masu ka?

What's inside?

Example Usage

このスープの中に何が入ってますか？

Kono sūpu no naka ni nani ga haitte masu ka?

What's inside this soup?

Kanji

卵

たまご

egg

卵🎬

egg

Example

卵を買います。

Tamago o kaimasu.

I'll buy eggs.

味

あじ

taste, flavor

味🎬

taste

Example

いい味です。

Ii aji desu.

It tastes good.

少し

すこし

a little, a few

少🎬

few, little

Example

少し下さい。

Sukoshi kudasai.

A little, please.

苦手（な）

にがて（な）

poor at, not good at (na-adjective)

苦🎬

bitter, suffer

手🎬

hand

Example

数学は苦手です。

Sūgaku wa nigate desu.

I'm not good at math.

料理

りょうり

cooking, cuisine

料🎬

fee, charge

理🎬

reason, logic

Example

料理を作ります。

Ryōri o tsukurimasu.

I'll cook.

調理方法

ちょうりほうほう

cooking method

調🎬

adjust, investigate

理🎬

reason, logic

方🎬

direction, method

法🎬

method, law

Example

調理方法を説明します。

Chōri hōhō o setsumei shimasu.

I'll explain the cooking method.

お湯

おゆ

hot water

湯🎬

hot water

Example

お湯を沸かします。

Oyu o wakashimasu.

I'll boil hot water.

甘い

あまい

sweet

甘🎬

sweet

Example

ケーキは甘いです。

Kēki wa amai desu.

Cake is sweet.

辛い

からい

spicy, hot

辛🎬

spicy, bitter

Example

カレーは辛いです。

Karē wa karai desu.

Curry is spicy.

Grammar Rules

Rule 1: ～そうです (appearance)

Structure: い-adjective: [stem] + そうです | な-adjective: [stem] + そうです

Use ～そうです to express an impression or judgment based on what you see (or sometimes hear/smell). It means 'looks ~' or 'seems ~'. For い-adjectives, drop the final い and add そうです. For な-adjectives, drop な and add そうです. For verbs (looks like it's about to happen), use ～そうです after the verb stem.

How to use: For い-adjectives: おいしい → おいしそう (looks delicious). For な-adjectives: しずか → しずかそう (looks quiet). For verbs: ふる → ふりそう (looks like it's about to rain). Negative form: なさそうです (e.g., おいしくなさそうです 'looks not tasty').

💡 Pro Tip: Do not confuse ～そうです (appearance) with ～そうです (hearsay, 'I heard that'). For hearsay, you attach そうです to plain forms (e.g., あした雨が降るそうです). For appearance, the stem is used. Also, いい (good) becomes よさそう (not いそう).

Examples

そのお弁当、おいしそうですね。

Sono obentō, oishisō desu ne.

→ That bento looks delicious.

このスープ、辛そうですね。

Kono sūpu, karasō desu ne.

→ This soup looks spicy.

Rule 2: ～そうな N

Structure: い-adjective stem + そうな + Noun | な-adjective stem + そうな + Noun

Use ～そうな before a noun to describe that the noun looks a certain way. This is the attributive form of ～そうです. It allows you to modify a noun with an appearance‑based impression, like 'a dish that looks spicy' or 'a person who seems kind'.

How to use: Take the stem of the adjective (same as for ～そうです) and add そうな, then place the noun. For い-adjectives: おいしい → おいしそうなケーキ (a cake that looks delicious). For な-adjectives: しんせつ → しんせつそうな人 (a person who seems kind).

💡 Pro Tip: You can also use ～そうに before verbs to describe the manner of an action: おいしそうに食べる (eat in a way that looks delicious). Remember that irregular いい → よさそうな (looks good).

Examples

それ、辛そうな料理ですね。

Sore, karasō na ryōri desu ne.

→ That looks like a spicy dish.

あの楽しそうな子供たちを見て下さい。

Ano tanoshisō na kodomotachi o mite kudasai.

→ Please look at those children who look happy.

Rule 3: ～くて、～ (listing/reason)

Structure: い-adjective (stem + くて) + Clause

Use the くて form of い-adjectives to connect adjectives for listing multiple qualities or to express a reason/cause. The くて form works like the て-form for verbs. It can mean 'and' (listing) or 'so' (reason). Negative い-adjectives use ～なくて.

How to use: For affirmative い-adjectives, change the final い to くて (e.g., 甘い → 甘くて). For negative, change ない to なくて (e.g., 美味しくない → 美味しくなくて). You can connect two or more adjectives; the last one determines tense.

💡 Pro Tip: When くて indicates reason, the adjective often describes a state that causes the result: 忙しくて行けませんでした (I was busy, so I couldn't go). For な-adjectives and nouns, use で instead. Don't overuse くて for listing when し might be better for emphasis.

Examples

この卵焼き、甘くて、おいしいですね。

Kono tamagoyaki, amakute, oishii desu ne.

→ This rolled omelet is sweet and delicious.

暑くて、窓を開けてもいいですか？

Atsukute, mado o akete mo ii desu ka?

→ It's hot, so may I open the window?

Rule 4: V-てみます

Structure: Verb て-form + みます

Use て-form + みます to express 'try doing ~' (as an experiment or for the first time). It implies doing something to see what it's like or to test it, not 'try hard to do' (which is ～ようとする).

How to use: Change the verb to て-form, then add みます (polite) or みる (plain). For requests: ～てみて下さい (please try doing ~). For past: ～てみました (tried). For inviting someone to try: ～てみませんか？ (Won't you try ~?).

💡 Pro Tip: Use ～てみる when you are unsure of the outcome and want to test. For 'try to do something difficult', use ～ようとする. Also, ～てみたい means 'want to try'. In casual conversation, ～てみる is very common: これ、食べてみて (Here, try eating this).

Examples

よかったら、この卵焼き、食べてみて下さい。

Yokattara, kono tamagoyaki, tabete mite kudasai.

→ If you'd like, please try this rolled omelet.

新しいレストランに行ってみました。とてもよかったです。

Atarashii resutoran ni itte mimashita. Totemo yokatta desu.

→ I tried going to a new restaurant. It was very good.

Rule 5: 自動詞／他動詞 (Intransitive/Transitive verbs)

Structure: 自動詞 (intransitive): [Thing] が [V-auto] | 他動詞 (transitive): [Agent] が [Thing] を [V-trans]

Intransitive verbs (自動詞, jidōshi) describe an event or state that happens without a direct agent; the subject is marked with が. Transitive verbs (他動詞, tadōshi) describe an intentional action by an agent; the object is marked with を. Choosing the right verb pair is crucial for natural Japanese.

How to use: Intransitive: focus on the change or state of the subject (e.g., ドアが開く 'the door opens'). Transitive: focus on the agent's action on an object (e.g., 私がドアを開ける 'I open the door'). Common pairs: 入る/入れる (enter/put in), 出る/出す (exit/take out), つく/つける (turn on/attach), 決まる/決める (be decided/decide).

💡 Pro Tip: Mistakes with transitive/intransitive are common. Remember: if you see を, it's almost certainly transitive. If you see が with an inanimate subject, it's often intransitive. For mistakes, 間違える is transitive (you make a mistake), 間違う can be intransitive (a mistake happens).

Examples

この料理には、鶏肉とか、エビとか、きのことかが入っています。

Kono ryōri ni wa, toriniku toka, ebi toka, kinoko toka ga haitte imasu.

→ This dish contains chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, and such. (intransitive)

ときどき、銀杏も入れますよ。

Tokidoki, ginnan mo iremasu yo.

→ Sometimes I also put in gingko nuts. (transitive)

Rule 6: ～くないですか？ (concern)

Structure: い-adjective (stem + くないですか) | な-adjective (stem + じゃないですか) | Noun (＋じゃないですか)

Use ～くないですか？ with い-adjectives (or ～じゃないですか with nouns/な-adjectives) to express concern and check if something is okay. It's a polite, indirect way to ask 'Isn't it too ~?' or 'Is it okay that it's ~?'. Shows consideration for the other person's feelings.

How to use: For い-adjectives: take the adjective, change い to くないですか (e.g., うすい → うすくないですか). For nouns/な-adjectives: add じゃないですか (e.g., 大丈夫じゃないですか？). Can also be used for suggestions: 一緒に行かない？ (casual) vs 一緒に行きませんか (polite).

💡 Pro Tip: This pattern is softer than saying ～すぎます (too ~). It gives the listener room to agree or disagree. Common in hospitality: 味はうすくないですか？ (Isn't the flavor too bland? – implying 'I hope it's okay for you'). For positive concern, use 大丈夫ですか？ (Is it okay?).

Examples

味は、うすくないですか？

Aji wa, usukunai desu ka?

→ Isn't the taste too bland (for you)?

寒くないですか？暖房をつけましょうか。

Samukunai desu ka? Danbō o tsukemashō ka.

→ Aren't you cold? Shall I turn on the heater?

Lesson 12: Food Description

Describing food impressions, giving and receiving food, discussing dishes

Key topics:

Vocabulary

Conversation

Kanji

Grammar Rules

Rule 1: ～そうです (appearance)

Rule 2: ～そうな N

Rule 3: ～くて、～ (listing/reason)

Rule 4: V-てみます

Rule 5: 自動詞／他動詞 (Intransitive/Transitive verbs)

Rule 6: ～くないですか？ (concern)

Exercises

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19

Question 20