Translation guide
A traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste and dashi broth, containing various ingredients like tofu, seaweed, and vegetables.
味噌汁
miso soup
Referring to miso soup as a food item or menu item
The standard word for miso soup. Used in everyday conversation and on menus.
朝ごはんに味噌汁を飲みました。
I had miso soup for breakfast.
この味噌汁はとても美味しいです。
This miso soup is very delicious.
Polite form with honorific prefix お. Commonly used in polite conversation or when referring to someone else's cooking.
お味噌汁をもう一杯いかがですか？
Would you like another bowl of miso soup?
Common alternative writing using hiragana for みそ. Same meaning and usage as 味噌汁.
みそ汁の具は何が好きですか？
What ingredients do you like in miso soup?
Asking for miso soup in a restaurant or at a meal
Standard polite request: 'Please give me miso soup.'
すみません、味噌汁をください。
Excuse me, miso soup please.
Another common polite way to order, literally 'Miso soup, please.'
味噌汁お願いします。
Miso soup, please.
Inquiring what kind of miso soup or what's in it
Asks 'What kind of miso soup is it?' (e.g., tofu, seaweed, etc.)
これは何の味噌汁ですか？
What kind of miso soup is this?
Asks specifically about the ingredients (具) in the miso soup.
今日の味噌汁の具は何ですか？
What are the ingredients in today's miso soup?
Talking about cooking or preparing miso soup
To make miso soup. The standard verb is 作る.
母は毎朝味噌汁を作ります。
My mother makes miso soup every morning.
To dissolve miso paste (into the broth). A key step in making miso soup.
最後に味噌を溶いてください。
Please dissolve the miso at the end.
Referring to instant or powdered miso soup
Instant miso soup, often sold in packets or cups.
インスタント味噌汁は便利です。
Instant miso soup is convenient.
Another term for instant miso soup, literally 'quick-made miso soup.'
即席味噌汁をお湯で溶かす。
Dissolve instant miso soup in hot water.
In Japanese, you say 味噌汁を飲む (drink miso soup) because it's a liquid-based dish, but in English we usually say 'eat soup.' Both are understood, but 飲む is the natural verb in Japanese.
While 味噌汁 is specifically miso soup, スープ refers to Western-style soups. Don't use スープ for miso soup unless you're referring to a fusion dish.