Nuance & Usage
食べ物 is formed from 食べる (to eat) + 物 (mono — thing), literally "things to eat." This ~物 pattern is productive in Japanese: 飲み物 (nomimono — drinks), 買い物 (kaimono — shopping), 乗り物 (norimono — vehicle). 食べ物 is neutral and general; more formal words for food include 食事 (shokuji — meal) and 料理 (ryouri — cooking/cuisine/dish). In conversation, 好きな食べ物 (favorite food) is a common small-talk topic.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 食べ物 when 料理 (ryouri) or 食事 (shokuji) would be more natural. 食べ物 is the broadest term (any food). 料理 refers to prepared dishes or cuisine. 食事 refers to a meal (the act or event of eating). Example: レストランの料理 (the restaurant's dishes) is more natural than レストランの食べ物.
Example Sentences (3)
好きな食べ物は何ですか？
すきなたべものはなんですか？
What is your favorite food?
日本の食べ物はおいしいです。
にほんのたべものはおいしいです。
Japanese food is delicious.
甘い食べ物が大好きです。
あまいたべものがだいすきです。
I love sweet foods.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
N54 questionsTest your knowledge of 食べ物 with 4 different question types.
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