Translation guide
The English word 'barbecue' can refer to the cooking method, the event, or the food. In Japanese, different words are used depending on the nuance.
バーベキューをしよう。
Let's have a barbecue.
A social gathering where food is cooked on a grill outdoors, often in a park or garden.
The most common and direct loanword for a barbecue event. Used for casual outdoor grilling parties.
週末に公園でバーベキューをしよう。
Let's have a barbecue in the park this weekend.
Literally 'grilled meat'. Often refers to Korean-style BBQ or indoor grilling, but can be used for outdoor meat grilling events.
庭で焼き肉をした。
We had a barbecue in the garden.
Specifically 'outdoor grilled meat'. More descriptive but less common in casual conversation.
野外焼き肉大会を開催します。
We will hold an outdoor barbecue event.
The equipment used for barbecuing, such as a charcoal or gas grill.
Common term for a barbecue grill, especially Western-style.
新しいバーベキューグリルを買った。
I bought a new barbecue grill.
A general term for a grilling stand or grate, often used for charcoal grills.
焼き台に炭を入れてください。
Please put charcoal in the grill.
A traditional small charcoal stove, often used for grilling. Not exactly a Western barbecue but used for similar purposes.
A sauce or seasoning associated with barbecue, often sweet and smoky.
Direct loanword for barbecue sauce.
このバーベキューソースは甘い。
This barbecue sauce is sweet.
Sauce for grilled meat, often used for yakiniku. Similar to barbecue sauce but typically more soy-sauce based.
焼き肉のたれをかける。
Put on barbecue sauce.
The act of cooking food slowly over indirect heat, often with smoke.
Used as a verb with する (suru) to mean 'to barbecue'.
肉をバーベキューする。
Barbecue the meat.
Charcoal grilling. Emphasizes the use of charcoal, common in Japanese cooking.
Smoking or smoked food. Refers to the smoking process, which is a part of some barbecue styles.
バーベキュー typically implies a Western-style outdoor grill party with burgers, sausages, etc. 焼き肉 often refers to Japanese or Korean-style grilled meat, usually beef or pork, cooked on a tabletop grill or over charcoal, and eaten with dipping sauces. If you're talking about a casual outdoor gathering with a grill, バーベキュー is the safest choice.
Grill fish on a shichirin.
この鶏は炭火焼きだ。
This chicken is charcoal-grilled.
燻製にすると風味が増す。
Smoking enhances the flavor.