Translation guide
The business or service of providing food and drinks for events, or the act of providing such services. In Japanese, this is often expressed with loanwords or descriptive phrases depending on context.
ケータリングサービス
catering service
ケータリング会社
catering company
Referring to the industry or the service of providing food for events.
The most common and direct loanword for 'catering'. Used widely in business and everyday contexts.
彼女はケータリング会社を経営している。
She runs a catering company.
パーティーのケータリングを頼んだ。
We ordered catering for the party.
Traditional Japanese term for catering, often implying delivery of prepared meals for events or businesses. Slightly more formal or traditional than ケータリング.
仕出し弁当を注文した。
We ordered catered boxed lunches.
Refers to home delivery of meals, often from restaurants. Not exactly 'catering' but can overlap when food is delivered for a group.
会議のために出前を取った。
We ordered delivery for the meeting.
Figurative use: to provide what is wanted or needed, to accommodate.
Literally 'respond to the needs of ~'. A natural way to express catering to someone's requirements.
このホテルはビジネス客のニーズに応えている。
This hotel caters to the needs of business travelers.
Means 'aimed at ~' or 'intended for ~'. Used to describe products or services designed for a specific group.
このレストランは家族向けだ。
This restaurant caters to families.
Means 'to handle' or 'to deal with', often used in business contexts to mean accommodating various needs.
当社は様々なご要望に対応します。
We cater to various requests.
ケータリング is the modern loanword and is widely understood. 仕出し is more traditional and often implies Japanese-style meals delivered for events. For Western-style catering, ケータリング is more common.
Do not try to translate 'catering' as a verb directly. Use phrases like ケータリングをする or 仕出しをする for the action.