Translation guide
The English word 'vegetables' refers to edible plants or parts of plants. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 野菜 (やさい). However, there are related words for specific contexts, such as greens, side dishes, or vegetarian cuisine.
Referring to vegetables in general, as a food category or in daily conversation.
The standard, everyday word for vegetables. Used in cooking, shopping, and health contexts.
毎日野菜を食べています。
I eat vegetables every day.
このスーパーは野菜が安いです。
Vegetables are cheap at this supermarket.
Specifically referring to leafy greens, often used in nutritional or culinary contexts.
Refers to green leafy vegetables like spinach, komatsuna, etc. Common in cooking.
青菜を炒めて食べましょう。
Let's stir-fry some greens and eat them.
Literally 'leaf vegetables', a more technical or categorical term.
葉物野菜は冷蔵庫で保存してください。
Please store leafy vegetables in the refrigerator.
Referring to vegetable dishes served alongside the main course, often in traditional Japanese meals.
Side dishes in general, but often vegetable-based. Not exclusively vegetables; can include meat, fish, etc.
今日のおかずは野菜炒めです。
Today's side dish is stir-fried vegetables.
A formal or nutritional term for side dishes, often vegetables, in a balanced meal.
Referring to vegetables in the context of vegetarian or vegan diets.
Vegetable dishes or cuisine, often used when talking about vegetarian options.
このレストランは野菜料理が豊富です。
This restaurant has a wide variety of vegetable dishes.
Traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, entirely plant-based, often served at temples.
京都で精進料理を体験しました。
I experienced Buddhist vegetarian cuisine in Kyoto.
菜食 (さいしょく) means 'vegetarian diet' as a concept, not 'vegetables' themselves. Use 野菜 for the food items.
野菜 can combine with other words: 野菜ジュース (vegetable juice), 野菜スープ (vegetable soup), 野菜炒め (stir-fried vegetables).
Let's prepare a staple food, main dish, and side dish.