Translation and Meaning of: 肉 - niku

The Japanese word 肉[にく] is one of those that frequently appears in everyday life, whether in menus, supermarkets, or even in anime dialogues. If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the meaning and usage of this word, this article will explore everything you need to know. We'll go from the basic translation to cultural details that make 肉[にく] more interesting than it seems.

Besides being a common term in Japanese vocabulary, 肉[にく] has connections with dietary habits, popular expressions, and even with writing in kanji. Here, you will discover how this word is used in everyday life, its origin, and some tips to memorize it more easily. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, provides accurate information for those who want to learn reliably.

Meaning and translation of 肉[にく]

In its simplest form, 肉[にく] means "meat." This translation encomes both the meat of animals such as beef, pork, and chicken, as well as the general concept of muscle tissue. However, the usage of the word can vary depending on the context. In menus, for example, it often appears in combinations such as 牛肉[ぎゅうにく] (beef) or 豚肉[ぶたにく] (pork).

It's worth noting that, although 肉 [にく] is a generic term, Japanese people often specify the type of meat when necessary. This avoids ambiguities, especially in situations where the distinction is important, such as in dietary restrictions. If you are in a restaurant and want to avoid certain types of meat, knowing this differentiation can be quite helpful.

Origin and writing of the kanji 肉

The kanji 肉 has an interesting history. It is composed of the radical 月 (which often refers to "body" or "meat") and its ancient form dates back to Chinese characters that represented cuts of meat. Over time, its writing has been simplified, but it has maintained the association with muscle tissues and food. This kanji also appears in other related words, such as 筋肉[きんにく] (muscle) and 肉体[にくたい] (physical body).

One tip to memorize the kanji 肉 is to observe its shape, which resembles a piece of meat with veins or fibers. This visual association can help solidify the meaning more easily. Moreover, since it appears in common such as 焼肉[やきにく] (Japanese barbecue), frequent with the word reinforces your learning.

Cultural usage and frequency in everyday life

In Japan, 肉[にく] plays an important role in cuisine, especially in popular dishes such as sukiyaki, yakiniku, and Japanese hamburgers. Despite the tradition of consuming fish, meat has gained significant space in the modern diet, influenced by Western culture. Restaurants specializing in meat, such as the famous yakiniku-ya, are quite common in large cities.

Interestingly, the word also appears in idiomatic expressions and proverbs. One example is 肉を付ける[にくをつける], which literally means "to put on meat" and can be used metaphorically to indicate that someone is gaining weight or strengthening something. This type of usage shows how everyday language reflects cultural habits and values related to food.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 肉体 (nikutai) - physical body
• 肉片 (nikuhen) - Slices of meat
• 肉類 (nikurui) - Types of meat
• 肉塊 (nikukai) - Pieces of meat
• 肉片状 (nikuhenjou) - In the form of slices of meat
• 肉片状のもの (nikuhenjou no mono) - Objects in the shape of meat slices
• 肉片状の食品 (nikuhenjou no shokuhin) - Sliced meat dishes
• 肉塊状のもの (nikukaisou no mono) - Objects in the shape of pieces of meat
• 肉塊状の食品 (nikukaisou no shokuhin) - Foods in the form of pieces of meat
• 肉片状に切ったもの (nikuhenjou ni kitta mono) - Things sliced into pieces of meat
• 肉片状に切った食品 (nikuhenjou ni kitta shokuhin) - Sliced meat foods
• 肉塊状に切ったもの (nikukaisou ni kitta mono) - Things cut into pieces of meat
• 肉塊状に切った食品 (nikukaisou ni kitta shokuhin) - Cut foods into pieces of meat