Translation and Meaning of: 食べる - taberu

If you are learning Japanese, you have certainly come across the verb 食べる (たべる, taberu). This simple word, which means "to eat," is essential in everyday vocabulary and appears in various situations, from casual conversations to animes and mangas. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical usage, as well as interesting facts that make learning more engaging. Whether for making flashcards in Anki or understanding cultural nuances, here you will find valuable information about 食べる.

Meaning and use of 食べる in everyday life

食べる is a Japanese verb that means "to eat" and belongs to the group of ichidan verbs (also called ru verbs). Its conjugation is relatively simple, which makes it one of the first verbs students learn. Unlike in English, where "eat" can be used in more abstract contexts, 食べる generally refers to the physical action of ingesting food.

In Japan, the act of eating is surrounded by etiquette and specific expressions. Before a meal, it is common to say いただきます (itadakimasu), and afterwards, ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita). Using 食べる (taberu) correctly includes understanding these rituals. For example, saying "ご飯を食べる" (gohan o taberu) sounds natural, but in formal situations, other terms like 召し上がる (meshiagaru) may be more appropriate.

Origin and writing of the kanji 食

The kanji 食, present in 食べる, has an interesting history. Originally, it represented a container with food and evolved to symbolize "to eat" or "food." It is composed of the radical 飠 (a variant of 食) and appears in other related words, such as 食事 (shokuji, "meal") and 食堂 (shokudou, "cafeteria").

One tip for memorizing this kanji is to observe its structure: the top part resembles a roof (like a place where one eats), and the bottom suggests a plate. Sources like Kanjipedia confirm this visual association, helping students to remember the character. Furthermore, 食 can also be read as "shoku" in compounds, such as in 和食 (washoku, "Japanese food").

Cultural curiosities and common mistakes

In Japan, the way food is discussed reflects cultural values. For example, in anime like "Shokugeki no Soma," 食べる is frequently used in scenes of culinary competitions, highlighting the importance of gastronomy in the narrative. Moreover, in informal situations, Japanese people may shorten it to たべる (taberu) or even たべちゃう (tabechau), which is a colloquial form.

A common mistake among students is confusing 食べる with 飲む (nomu, "to drink"). Although both involve consumption, they are used for solids and liquids, respectively. Another trap is trying to translate expressions like "eat a meal" literally—Japanese prefers 食事をする (shokuji o suru) in these cases. Be careful not to sound odd!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 飲む (nomu) - to drink
• 食する (shokushuru) - Eat
• 食す (shokusu) - Eat (more formal form)
• 喰う (kuu) - Eat (more colloquial or informal use, may have a connotation of devouring)
• 食らう (kurau) - Eat (informal use, often suggests devouring or consuming in a ravenous manner)
• 啜る (suru) - Sipping (usually used for drinks or eating soups)
• 食べる (taberu) - Eat (standard and common form)
• 食み込む (hamikomu) - Swallow (usually suggesting complete absorption)
• 食らいつく (kuraizuku) - Attack or devour (suggests aggressiveness when eating)
• 食い込む (kuikomu) - Enter when eating (can suggest consuming until the end or penetrating deeply)
• 食い入る (kuiiru) - Dive or immerse while eating (usually used figuratively)
• 食いつく (kuituku) - Grab on while eating (suggests intensity)
• 食いつき (kuituki) - Adherence to eating (suggests intensity or attachment to food)
• 食い込める (kuikomeru) - Able to enter while eating (suggests potential for intense consumption)
• 食い込んでくる (kuikonde kuru) - To feel absorbed while eating (a sense of something becoming increasingly engulfed)
• 食い込んでいく (kuikonde iku) - Continue to eat (suggests a continuous process)
• 食い込んでくれる (kuikonde kureru) - Please enter to eat (friendly or polite use)
• 食い込んでくれた (kuikonde kureta) - Please enter while eating (past, friendly gesture)
• 食い込んでいた (kuikonde ita) - I was entering while eating.
• 食い込んでいる (kuikonde iru) - Is entering while eating (present continuous)
• 食い込んでいたら (kuikonde itara) - If you were entering while eating (conditional)

食べる

Romaji: taberu
Kana: たべる
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: eat

Meaning in English: to eat

Definition: Ingest something through the mouth or throat.

Example Sentences - (食べる) taberu

See below some example sentences:

食べることは生きることだ。

Taberu koto wa ikiru koto da

Eating is living.

Eating is living.

• 食べる - eat
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 生きる - live
• こと - thing
• だ - Verb "to be"

飴を食べると幸せな気分になる。

Ame wo taberu to shiawase na kibun ni naru

Eating sweets makes you feel happy.

• 飴 - Japanese sweet in the shape of a ball or cylinder
• を - object particle
• 食べる - verb "to eat"
• と - Comparison particle
• 幸せ - adjective "happy"
• な - suffix that transforms the adjective into a predicate
• 気分 - noun "feeling"
• に - target particle
• なる - verb "become"

野菜を食べることは健康に良いです。

Yasai wo taberu koto wa kenkou ni yoi desu

Eating vegetables is good for health.

Eating vegetables is good for your health.

• 野菜 - means "vegetables"
• を - direct object particle
• 食べる - means "to eat"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• は - Topic particle
• 健康 - means "health"
• に - target particle
• 良い - means "good"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

私は毎日何を食べるか選ぶのが難しいです。

Watashi wa mainichi nani wo taberu ka erabu no ga muzukashii desu

It's hard to choose what to eat every day.

It's hard to choose what to eat every day.

• 私 (watashi) - I
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 毎日 (mainichi) - every day
• 何 (nani) - what
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 食べる (taberu) - Eat
• か (ka) - interrogative particle
• 選ぶ (erabu) - Choose
• のが (noga) - Nominal particle
• 難しい (muzukashii) - Difficult
• です (desu) - Ser/estar (polite form)

お菜を食べるのが好きです。

Ona wo taberu no ga suki desu

I like to eat vegetables.

I like to eat vegetables.

• お菜 - means "vegetables" or "vegetable-based dishes".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 食べる - verb meaning "to eat".
• のが - particle indicating the subordinate phrase describing the preference.
• 好き - adjective meaning "to like" or "to prefer".
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and formal form of speech.

バターをパンに塗って食べるのが好きです。

Butā wo pan ni nutte taberu no ga suki desu

I like to pass butter on bread and eat.

I like to eat butter on bread and eat.

• バター (bataa) - butter
• を (wo) - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• パン (pan) - bread
• に (ni) - Particle indicating the target of the action
• 塗って (nutte) - verb "to grease" in the gerund
• 食べる (taberu) - verb "to eat"
• のが (noga) - particle indicating personal preference or taste
• 好き (suki) - adjective "like"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

実を食べると元気になる。

Jitsu wo taberu to genki ni naru

Eating fruits makes you feel energetic.

Eating fruits makes you feel better.

• 実 - means "fruit" or "nut" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 食べる - verb "to eat" in Japanese.
• と - connecting particle in Japanese.
• 元気 - means "energy" or "vitality" in Japanese.
• に - destination particle in Japanese.
• なる - verb "to become" in Japanese.

摘んで食べると美味しいです。

Tsumande taberu to oishii desu

It is delicious when harvested and eaten.

• 摘んで - Means "to collect" or "to harvest" in Japanese.
• 食べる - It means "eat" in Japanese.
• と - It is a Japanese particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship, in this case, "when."
• 美味しい - It means "delicious" or "tasty" in Japanese.
• です - It is a Japanese particle that indicates a formal declaration, in this case, "it is"

私たちは美味しい且つ健康的な食事を食べることが大切だと思います。

Watashitachi wa oishii katsu kenkō

I think it's important to eat delicious and healthy meals.

• 私たち - Personal pronoun "we"
• 美味しい - Adjective "delicious"
• 且つ - conjunction "and"
• 健康的な - adjective "healthy"
• 食事 - noun "meal"
• を - direct object" particle
• 食べる - verb "to eat"
• こと - noun "thing"
• が - subject" particle
• 大切 - adjective "important"
• だ - verb to be"
• と - quote" particle
• 思います - verb "to think"

蜜をかけて食べると美味しいです。

Mitsu wo kakete taberu to oishii desu

It is delicious to eat with honey.

• 蜜 - honey
• を - object particle
• かけて - Verb "colocar" in the gerund
• 食べる - Verb "to eat" in the infinitive
• と - Comparison particle
• 美味しい - Adjective "delicious"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present