Lesson 4: 醤油をつけないで食べてください – Please Eat It Without Soy Sauce
Cooking, food preparation, and describing dishes
This lesson focuses on cooking methods, food preparation, describing dishes, and talking about ingredients. You'll learn vocabulary related to cooking techniques, ingredients, food descriptions, and how to talk about traditional Japanese dishes and cooking processes.
Key topics:
- ・Cooking methods and techniques
- ・Food ingredients and preparation
- ・Describing taste and texture
- ・Traditional Japanese dishes
- ・Food markets and shopping
- ・Recipe instructions and cooking processes
Vocabulary
1
おくる
okuru
送る
to send
Example
じゃあ、今、地図送るね。
Jā, ima, chizu okuru ne.
Then, I'll send you a map now.
2
いれる
ireru
入れる
to add
Example
コーヒーに砂糖とミルク、入れますか？
Kōhī ni satō to miruku, iremasu ka?
Do you put sugar and milk in your coffee?
3
つける
tsukeru
-
seasoned / dip
Example
このシュウマイは味がついてます
Kono shūmai wa aji ga tsuitemasu
These shumai are already seasoned.
4
かける
kakeru
-
to pour
Example
塩をかけて食べてください。
Shio o kakete tabete kudasai.
Please sprinkle salt and eat.
5
まぜる
mazeru
混ぜる
to mix
Example
よく混ぜて食べてください。
Yoku mazete tabete kudasai.
Please mix well and eat.
6
のせる
noseru
-
to put on top
Example
海苔の上にご飯と刺身をのせて、巻いて食べます。
Nori no ue ni gohan to sashimi o nosete, maite tabemasu.
You put rice and sashimi on top of seaweed, roll it, and eat it.
7
まく
maku
巻く
to roll
Example
海苔の上にご飯と刺身をのせて、巻いて食べます。
Nori no ue ni gohan to sashimi o nosete, maite tabemasu.
You put rice and sashimi on top of seaweed, roll it, and eat it.
8
むく
muku
-
to peel
Example
焼きいもは、皮をむいて食べますか？
Yakiimo wa, kawa o muite tabemasu ka?
Do you peel the skin and eat baked sweet potato?
9
きる
kiru
切る
to cut
Example
りんごを切ります。
Ringo o kirimasu.
I'll cut an apple.
10
いためる
itameru
-
to fry
Example
野菜をいためます。
Yasai o itamemasu.
I'll stir-fry vegetables.
11
あげる
ageru
揚げる
to deep-fry
Example
油で揚げます。
Abura de agemasu.
I'll deep-fry it in oil.
12
やく
yaku
焼く
to grill
Example
魚を焼きます。
Sakana o yakimasu.
I grill fish.
13
ゆでる
yuderu
-
to boil
Example
ゆでた野菜やゆで卵などが入っています。
Yudeta yasai ya yudetamago nado ga haitte imasu.
It contains boiled vegetables, boiled eggs, etc.
14
にる
niru
煮る
to simmer / to stew
Example
豆、豚肉、牛肉を煮て作ります。
Mame, butaniku, gyūniku o nite tsukurimasu.
It's made by simmering beans, pork, and beef.
15
むす
musu
蒸す
to steam
Example
皮の中に、野菜と肉を入れて、蒸します。
Kawa no naka ni, yasai to niku o irete, mushimasu.
You put vegetables and meat inside the wrapper and steam it.
16
かたい
katai
固い
hard
Example
ちょっと固いです。
Chotto katai desu.
It's a bit hard.
17
あまからい
amakarai
甘辛い
sweet and spicy
Example
このソースは甘辛いです。
Kono sōsu wa amakarai desu.
This sauce is sweet and spicy.
18
まんぞくな
manzoku na
満足な
satisfactory
Example
満足な終わりです。
Manzoku na owari desu.
A satisfying end.
19
あたらしく
atarashiku
新しく
newly
Example
最近、新しくできた「みさきカフェ」はどう？
Saikin, atarashiku dekita「Misaki Kafe」wa dō?
How about the recently opened「Misaki Cafe」?
20
あじ
aji
味
flavour / taste
Example
スープには味がありませんから、たれをつけて食べてください。
Sūpu ni wa aji ga arimasen kara, tare o tsukete tabete kudasai.
The soup has no flavor, so please dip it in the sauce and eat.
21
あぶら
abura
油
oil
Example
油で揚げます。
Abura de agemasu.
Deep-fry in oil.
22
いちどに
ichido ni
一度に
at once
Example
一度に、そんなにたくさんお肉を入れちゃだめですよ。
Ichido ni, sonna ni takusan oniku o irecha dame desu yo.
You shouldn't put so much meat in at once.
23
じょせい
josei
女性
woman / female
Example
女性にすごく人気があるよ。
Josei ni sugoku ninki ga aru yo.
It's very popular with women.
24
おばちゃん
obachan
叔母ちゃん
Aunt / middle-aged woman
Example
あの叔母ちゃんが作る。
Ano obachan ga tsukuru.
That lady makes it.
25
おれ
ore
-
I (Usually a male person.)
Example
おれのおすすめは「千歩」かなあ。
Ore no osusume wa「Sempo」kanaa.
My recommendation is「Sempo」I guess.
26
かていりょうり
katei ryōri
家庭料理
home-cooked dish
Example
ブラジルの家庭料理です。
Burajiru no katei ryōri desu.
It's a Brazilian home-cooked dish.
27
かわ
kawa
皮
skin / wrapper
Example
皮をむいて食べますか？
Kawa o muite tabemasu ka?
Do you peel the skin and eat?
28
ぎょうざ
gyōza
餃子
stuffed dumpling
Example
餃子に似ています。
Gyōza ni nite imasu.
It's similar to gyoza.
29
こうやって
kō yatte
-
like this
Example
こうやって２、３回しゃぶしゃぶってするんですよ。
Kō yatte ni, sankai shabushabu tte suru n desu yo.
You swish it like this two or three times.
30
こしょう
koshō
胡椒
pepper
Example
胡椒下さい。
Koshō kudasai.
Pepper, please.
31
このへん
kono hen
この辺
near here / around here
Example
この辺で、どこかいい店、ありませんか？
Kono hen de, dokoka ii mise, arimasen ka?
Are there any good restaurants around here?
32
ごまだれ
gomadare
-
sesame sauce
Example
ポン酢とごまだれがあります。
Ponzu to gomadare ga arimasu.
We have ponzu and sesame sauce.
33
さとう
satō
砂糖
sugar
Example
砂糖、お願いします。
Satō, onegai shimasu.
Sugar, please.
34
しお
shio
塩
salt
Example
塩をかけて食べてください。
Shio o kakete tabete kudasai.
Please sprinkle salt and eat.
35
シュウマイ
shūmai
-
shumai (steamed dumpling)
Example
このシュウマイは味がついてますから。
Kono shūmai wa aji ga tsuitemasu kara.
These shumai are already seasoned, so...
36
しょうゆ
shōyu
醤油
soy sauce
Example
しょうゆをつけないで食べてください。
Shōyu o tsukenaide tabete kudasai.
Please eat without dipping it in soy sauce.
37
__ ずつ
zutsu
-
__ at a time
Example
お肉を１枚ずつ取って。
Oniku o ichimai zutsu totte.
Pick up one slice of meat at a time.
38
そのた
sono ta
その他
others
Example
その他はあとで。
Sono ta wa ato de.
The rest later.
39
そのまま
sono mama
-
as is
Example
そのまま食べて。
Sono mama tabete.
Eat it as is.
40
そんなに
sonna ni
-
so much
Example
そんなにたくさんお肉を入れちゃだめですよ。
Sonna ni takusan oniku o irecha dame desu yo.
You shouldn't put so much meat in.
41
ちず
chizu
地図
map
Example
じゃあ、今、地図送るね。
Jā, ima, chizu okuru ne.
Then, I'll send you a map now.
42
たれ
tare
-
tare (dipping sauce)
Example
たれをつけて食べてください。
Tare o tsukete tabete kudasai.
Please dip it in the sauce and eat.
43
つゆ
tsuyu
-
dipping sauce
Example
つゆにつけて食べてください。
Tsuyu ni tsukete tabete kudasai.
Please dip it in the dipping sauce and eat.
44
ていしょくや
teishokuya
定食屋
Japanese set meal restaurant
Example
あの定食屋がいい。
Ano teishokuya ga ii.
That teishoku place is good.
45
できる
dekiru
-
to open
Example
最近、新しくできた「みさきカフェ」はどう？
Saikin, atarashiku dekita「Misaki Kafe」wa dō?
How about the recently opened「Misaki Cafe」?
46
てまきずし
temakizushi
手巻きずし
temaki-zushi (hand-rolled sushi)
Example
手巻きずしは、海苔の上にご飯と刺身をのせて、巻いて食べます。
Temakizushi wa, nori no ue ni gohan to sashimi o nosete, maite tabemasu.
For hand-rolled sushi, you put rice and sashimi on top of seaweed, roll it, and eat it.
47
とち
tochi
土地
local
Example
この土地の料理が食べたい。
Kono tochi no ryōri ga tabetai.
I want to eat local cuisine.
48
どれも
dore mo
-
any
Example
どれも食べたい。
Dore mo tabetai.
I want to eat any of them.
49
__ など
nado
-
__ etc.
Example
ゆでた野菜やゆで卵などが入っています。
Yudeta yasai ya yudetamago nado ga haitte imasu.
It contains boiled vegetables, boiled eggs, etc.
50
のり
nori
海苔
seaweed
Example
海苔の上にご飯と刺身をのせて。
Nori no ue ni gohan to sashimi o nosete.
Put rice and sashimi on top of seaweed.
51
はくさい
hakusai
白菜
Chinese cabbage
Example
白菜はまだですね。
Hakusai wa mada desu ne.
The Chinese cabbage isn't ready yet.
52
ふうふ
fūfu
夫婦
married couple
Example
ベトナム人の夫婦がやっていて。
Betonamujin no fūfu ga yatte ite.
Run by a Vietnamese couple.
53
ボリューム
boryūmu
-
amount
Example
ボリュームたっぷり。
Boryūmu tappuri.
Generous portion.
54
ポンず
ponzu
ポン酢
ponzu vinegar
Example
ポン酢とごまだれがあります。
Ponzu to gomadare ga arimasu.
We have ponzu and sesame sauce.
55
ほんもの
honmono
本物
real
Example
本物のベトナム料理が食べられるそうです。
Honmono no Betonamu ryōri ga taberareru sō desu.
I heard you can eat authentic Vietnamese food.
56
まぜそば
mazesoba
混ぜそば
mixed soba
Example
混ぜそば、お待たせしました！
Mazesoba, omatase shimashita!
Mixed soba, sorry to keep you waiting!
57
まめ
mame
豆
bean
Example
豆、豚肉、牛肉を煮て作ります。
Mame, butaniku, gyūniku o nite tsukurimasu.
It's made by simmering beans, pork, and beef.
58
__ や
ya
-
__ store / __ restaurant
Example
すしやに行こう。
Sushiya ni ikō.
Let's go to a sushi place.
59
やきいも
yakiimo
焼き芋
yaki-imo (baked sweet potato)
Example
焼きいもは、皮をむいて食べますか？
Yakiimo wa, kawa o muite tabemasu ka?
Do you peel the skin and eat baked sweet potato?
60
ゆでたまご
yudetamago
ゆで卵
boiled egg
Example
ゆでた野菜やゆで卵などが入っています。
Yudeta yasai ya yudetamago nado ga haitte imasu.
It contains boiled vegetables, boiled eggs, etc.
61
りょう
ryō
量
amount
Example
量を減らして。
Ryō o herashite.
Reduce the amount.
Conversation
1
おまたせしました
omatase shimashita
Thank you for waiting.
Example Usage
混ぜそば、お待たせしました！
Mazesoba, omatase shimashita!
Mixed soba, sorry to keep you waiting!
2
しりませんでした
shirimasen deshita
I did not know
Example Usage
へー、そうなんですか！ 知りませんでした。
Hē, sō nan desu ka! Shirimasen deshita.
Oh, is that so! I didn't know.
3
このへん
kono hen
around here
Example Usage
この辺で、どこかいい店、ありませんか？
Kono hen de, dokoka ii mise, arimasen ka?
Are there any good restaurants around here?
Kanji
1
入れる
to put in, to insert
入🎬
enter, put in
Example
ドアをあけてくうきを入れます.
Doa o akete kūki o iremasu.
I open the door and let air in.
2
方
way of doing, method
方🎬
direction, way
Example
このかんじの書き方をおしえてください.
Kono kanji no kakikata o oshiete kudasai.
Please teach me how to write this kanji.
3
満足
satisfaction, satisfied
満🎬
full, fulfill
足🎬
sufficient, enough
Example
おきゃくさまに満足していただきました.
Okyaku-sama ni manzoku shite itadakimashita.
We were able to satisfy the customer.
4
塩
salt
塩🎬
salt
Example
りょうりに塩をすこしいれます.
Ryōri ni shio o sukoshi iremasu.
I put a little salt in the dish.
5
油
oil
油🎬
oil
Example
フライパンに油をひきます.
Furaipan ni abura o hikimasu.
I heat oil in a frying pan.
6
量
quantity, amount
量🎬
quantity, measure
Example
りょうりの量がおおすぎます.
Ryōri no ryō ga ōsugimasu.
The amount of food is too much.
7
屋
shop, store, -er
屋🎬
shop, roof
Example
にく屋でぎゅうにくをかいました.
Nikuyade gyūniku o kaimashita.
I bought beef at the meat shop.
8
満足
satisfactory, satisfying (な-adjective)
満🎬
full, fulfill
足🎬
sufficient, enough
Example
満足なこたえがもらえました.
Manzoku na kotae ga moraemashita.
I received a satisfactory answer.
9
切る
to cut
切🎬
cut
Example
やさいをちいさく切ります.
Yasai o chiisaku kirimasu.
I cut the vegetables small.
10
焼く
to grill, to bake, to roast
焼🎬
bake, grill
Example
さかなを焼きます.
Sakana o yakimasu.
I grill fish.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Answering using the listener’s keyword
Structure: N なら、 __
Used to respond by referring to a keyword mentioned by the other person. It means 'If it’s N __ ' or 'As for N __ '.
How to use: N is usually the word the other person said. It shows you are answering based on that specific condition or topic.
💡 Pro Tip: Very common in conversation. It sounds natural when giving recommendations or suggestions.
Examples
このちかくなら、「へいべえ」がおすすめです.
Kono chikaku nara, Heibē ga osusume desu.
→ If it's nearby, I recommend Heibe.
安い店なら、「たやましょくどう」かな.
Yasui mise nara, Tayama Shokudō kana.
→ If you want a cheap place, maybe Tayama Shokudo.
Rule 2: Explaining how to do something
Structure: V-て、__ / V-ないで、 __
Used to explain the method or manner of doing something, especially instructions like how to eat or drink.
How to use: V-て is used when doing the next action in that state. V-ないで is used when doing the next action without doing the first action.
💡 Pro Tip: V-ないで is made from the nai-form + で. Example: つけない → つけないで.
Examples
つゆにつけて食べて下さい.
Tsuyu ni tsukete tabete kudasai.
→ Please dip it in the sauce and eat.
しょうゆをつけないで食べて下さい.
Shōyu o tsukenai de tabete kudasai.
→ Please eat it without adding soy sauce.
Rule 3: Prohibiting actions (casual)
Structure: V-ちゃだめです
Used to say something must not be done. Casual spoken form of V-てはだめです.
How to use: For verbs ending in 〜て → change to 〜ちゃ. For verbs ending in 〜で → change to 〜じゃ.
💡 Pro Tip: More casual than てはだめです. Often used in conversation. For stronger tone, add よ.
Examples
そんなにしょうゆをかけちゃだめですよ.
Sonna ni shōyu o kakecha dame desu yo.
→ Don’t pour that much soy sauce.
古いから、食べちゃだめです.
Furui kara, tabecha dame desu.
→ It’s old, so don’t eat it.
Rule 4: Stating order of actions
Structure: V-てから、 __
Used to clearly show the order of actions. First do V, then do the next action.
How to use: Attach てから to the verb’s te-form. It emphasizes that the second action happens after the first one is completed.
💡 Pro Tip: Very important in cooking instructions and daily routines.
Examples
野菜を食べてから、うどんを入れます.
Yasai o tabete kara, udon o iremasu.
→ Eat the vegetables first, then add the udon.
よくまぜてから、やきます.
Yoku mazete kara, yakimasu.
→ Mix well first, then cook it.
Rule 5: Contrast (formal)
Structure: S1 が、S2
Used to connect two contrasting statements. Similar to けど but more formal.
How to use: Attach が to the first sentence. Often used in writing or formal speech.
💡 Pro Tip: けど is common in casual speech. が sounds more formal and polite.
Examples
お店はきれいですが、昼はこんでいます.
Omise wa kirei desu ga, hiru wa kondeimasu.
→ The restaurant is clean, but it is crowded at lunch.
料理はおいしかったですが、すこし高かったです.
Ryōri wa oishikatta desu ga, sukoshi takakatta desu.
→ The food was delicious, but it was a little expensive.
Exercises
Question 1: Choose the correct word to respond based on the listener's keyword 'nearby'.
このちかく______、「へいべえ」がおすすめです.
Question 2: Choose the correct reading of 入れます.
ドアをあけてくうきを______.
Question 3: Choose the correct form to say 'Please dip it in the sauce and eat.'
つゆに______食べて下さい.
Question 4: What does 方 (かた) mean in 書き方?
このかんじの書き方をおしえてください.
Question 5: Choose the correct casual prohibition form.
そんなにしょうゆをかけ______だめですよ.
Question 6: Choose the correct reading of 満足.
おきゃくさまに______していただきました.
Question 7: Choose the correct form to express order of actions.
野菜を食べて______、うどんを入れます.
Question 8: What does 塩 mean?
りょうりに塩をすこしいれます.
Question 9: Choose the correct formal contrast connector.
お店はきれいです______、昼はこんでいます.
Question 10: Choose the correct reading of 油.
フライパンに______をひきます.
Question 11: Choose the correct form to say 'Please eat without adding soy sauce.'
しょうゆを______食べて下さい.
Question 12: What does 量 mean?
りょうりの量がおおすぎます.
Question 13: Choose the correct sentence meaning 'If you want a cheap place, maybe Tayama Shokudo.'
安い店______、「たやましょくどう」かな.
Question 14: Choose the correct reading of 屋 in にく屋.
にく______でぎゅうにくをかいました.
Question 15: Choose the correct casual prohibition form for a で-ending verb.
そんなにあそん______だめですよ.
Question 16: What does 切る mean?
やさいをちいさく切ります.
Question 17: Choose the correct order of actions meaning 'Mix well first, then cook it.'
よくまぜて______、やきます.
Question 18: Choose the correct reading of 焼きます.
さかなを______.
Question 19: Choose the correct formal contrast sentence.
料理はおいしかったです______、すこし高かったです.
Question 20: What does 満足な mean?
満足なこたえがもらえました.