料理

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 母の料理が一番おいしい。▶ —
   My mom's cooking is the tastiest.
2. 今日は和食を料理しました。▶ —
   Today I cooked Japanese food.

Collocations

Mnemonic

りょうり — 料理, Sino-Japanese. A noun and a suru-verb (料理する). Unpack the two kanji ── 料 (to measure) + 理 (to order, to govern) = 'measuring and ordering'. To measure ingredients and bring them under control. One word unfolds in three ── the act: 料理する (to cook). the result: おいしい料理 (a delicious dish). the metaphor: うまく料理する (to handle skillfully = to manage a matter smoothly). That you handle a situation as you handle ingredients is already inside the kanji. Japan sorts the food world into three ── 和食 washoku (Japanese), 中華 chuuka (Chinese), 洋食 youshoku (Western). It differs from 食べ物 tabemono ── 料理 is what has passed through intent and preparation; 食べ物 is anything edible. The Korean readings ryo / ri are sister to the onyomi りょう / り.

Quick check

1. Metaphor of "umaku ryouri suru"?

   • Handle a situation / problem smoothly
   • Literal cooking tastily
   • Buy ingredients
   • Preserve food