Translation guide
The first meal of the day, typically eaten in the morning. In Japanese, the most common and neutral word is 朝ごはん (asagohan), but there are several alternatives depending on formality and context.
Referring to the meal eaten in the morning, in general or as a daily routine.
The most common, everyday word for breakfast. Polite and widely used in conversation.
今朝、朝ごはんを食べましたか？
Did you eat breakfast this morning?
朝ごはんはパンとコーヒーです。
For breakfast, I have bread and coffee.
A more formal term, often used in written language, news, or formal settings. Can sound stiff in casual conversation.
朝食は7時からです。
Breakfast is from 7 o'clock.
ホテルの朝食はバイキング形式です。
The hotel breakfast is buffet style.
A casual, somewhat rough or masculine term. Used among close friends or in informal situations. Can sound blunt.
朝飯、まだ？
Breakfast ready yet?
Expressing the act of eating breakfast, often with verbs like 食べる or とる.
The standard way to say 'to eat breakfast'. Natural in all but the most formal contexts.
毎日、朝ごはんを食べます。
I eat breakfast every day.
A slightly more formal way to say 'to have breakfast'. Often used in writing or polite speech.
朝食をとってから出かけます。
I'll go out after having breakfast.
朝ごはん is the safest choice for everyday conversation. 朝食 is formal and often used in written contexts or announcements. 朝飯 is casual and can sound masculine or rough; avoid in polite settings.